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tv   U.S. House of Representatives  CSPAN  September 28, 2010 1:00pm-5:00pm EDT

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congressman adler from new jersey, and congressman hastings of florida all contributed to this, along with chairman hall and his -- of the disability assistance subcommittee and his ranking member lamborn of colorado. i would reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: mr. speaker, you're moving fast today. i yield myself such time as i may consume. had i known i would have been here at the first bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. buyer: so -- and i'm serious about that comment. you have to give us adequate time to get to the floor so we can respond to the bills and i am recognized and am making a statement because i'm really upset. this is the way the majority has been running the congress, mr. speaker. . you wonder why the american people are upset with majority is because of this. if you don't give adequate notice to the ranking member to be to the floor on bills, people are going to know.
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you know they are going to know? because i'm going to tell the story. rules matter around this place. now, let me go back to the first bill. the only reason i want to mention this is because i want to thank, you just passed it, we are going to do it by voice, let me tell you what's upsetting. it's the parliamentarian. from the time you drop that bill and the parliamentarian makes sure it gets to the jurisdictions. some might get amended and some other committee thinks they want a view on it. what happens is the majority not giving a doggone about the minority puts bills on this floor no matter what they do so long it's in comfort with someone else. they don't care about the minority our our views. so they put it on the floor. once again we try to changed the language in the last bill, the small business committee prevents it. now, why would you do that?
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why would the small business committee run by the democrat majority alienate the disabled veterans? why do you keep doing this? we keep appealing to you to place the disabled veteran in a higher position with regard to other set asides and you won't do it. mr. president, don't stand up and tell the american people, now we are going to focus on small business. madam speaker, don't stand up and say we are now going to focus on small business. what did you do at the moment of calling? at the moment of calling when you had an opportunity to do something about it, what did you do? don't give the american people rhetoric. what did you do at the moment of acting? we are not going to do it. oh. your stimulus bill, i want to respond to a bill dollar small business for veterans, no, we are not going to do that. we are going to do v.a. construction. oh, my gosh. what are we going to do to stimulate small business? you had your opportunity over and over and over.
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so, yeah, i'm pretty upset, mr. speaker. 8 -- i'm really upset. i'm upset what happened on that last bill and i'm retiring. i'm leaving congress. what i'm hopeful is that the chairman, that you are pugnacious as you can be and focus that to help that disabled veteran and change that language, mr. filner, from may to shall. i think it will go a very long way. at that point i'm going to reserve my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: i have no further speakers and prepared to yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: with regard to the bill in front of us, i rise in support of it. the veterans benefits economic welfare improvement act of 2010. it is a bipartisan veterans bill that benefits many provisions that helps veterans and their families. 6132 will assist transitioning
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service members. to assist the unemployed veterans who are not eligible for other education programs by creating a new on-the-job training apresentisship -- apprenticeship program. and providing veterans the right to equitable tolling when a claim reaches the veterans -- or board of veterans claims. the bill assists pensioneers but restoring payment of medical expenses or settlements from the veterans' annual income when determining their pension amount. i'm also pleased and also appreciate the chairman's supporting the provision by the ranking member, henry brown, of the subcommittee on health to increase the pension for medal of honor recipients to $2,000 a month. mr. speaker, while i am sure we all agree that the provisions in this bill are laudable, it is unfortunate that certain provisions have also been left out. ranking member boozman of the subcommittee on economic opportunity was also successful
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at the full committee markup of this bill in adding a provision that would have protected the veterans' second amendment right to bear arms. his amendment would have prevented veterans from losing this right. the amendment was agreed to by voice vote. provision was supported by the american legion, amvets, veterans of foreign wars, the nra and gun owners of america. chairman conyers of the judiciary committee raised questions on the jurisdictional issue regarding the provision and has insisted it be taken out. i repeat that again. here we go again. so to america, bills are coming to the floor, people are yanking things out of the bill. so what's happened is we are rushing bills to the floor rather than allow them to be properly vetted through all jurisdictions. we are not going to do that. what do we have? we have a bill now on the floor that had a gun provision taken out of it. right before an election. that's great. i'm not running again. so those of you who are pleased i guess the gun provision was taken out of the bill, you can
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answer your constituents about why that happened. i'm once again bothered. it's unfortunate. i'm leaving an institution i love and respect, but boy am i bothered with the way it's being run. i yield back my time and i ask members to support this bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the question is now, members, will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6132 as amended. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? mr. filner: mr. speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r. 3685. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 364, h.r. 3685, a bill to require the secretary of
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veterans affairs to include on the main page of the internet website of the department of veterans affairs a hyperlink to the vetsuccess internet website and to publicize such internet website. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. filner, and the gentleman from indiana, mr. buyer, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. filner: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. filner: i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. filner: thank you, mr. speaker. i would like to thank congress man chris stearns of florida for introducing this bill which seeks to include an important link to the vetsuccess program on the homepage of the department of veterans affairs. like the other two bills before us today, it helps those veterans seeking employment. and i would reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: i yield myself such
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time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. buyer: i rise in support of h.r. 3685 which was introduced by my good friend, the deputy ranking member of the house on veterans' affairs, cliff stearns of florida. this bill will make it easier to find employment opportunities in their aa and promote the vetsuccess website. i would now like to recognize mr. stearns of florida to discuss this legislation. i yield myself such time as i may consume. -- i yield him such time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. stearns: i thank the distinguished ranking member. i also thank chairman filner for allowing this bill to come to the floor. my colleagues, today unemployment continues to be record high, particularly in my congressional district, my hometown is 14.5%. and the unemployment rate in the veterans community is even higher. it's higher than i think many of us can ever remember.
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so my bill, h.r. 3685, would simply require the department of veterans affairs to have a dropdown menu titled, quote, veterans employment, enquote, on its homepage. this drop menu would have links to vetsuccess, u.s.a. jobs, job central, and other appropriate employment websites. it also require the secretary of v.a. to advertise and promote the vet success website and require direct outreach to veterans of operations iraqi freedom and operation enduring freedom. this bill comes out of many discussions i have had with the v.a. over the past couple years and while simply the v.a. has addressed some of my concerns, they continue to miss what i believe is the underlying reason for the bill. consumer service and usability. the v.a. should have a clear
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link that will take veterans to a listing of jobs based simply on zip codes. today if you are a veteran you are looking for a job, whether it is in the private sector or united states government, it can be a daunting task. the v.a. should not make it harder but make it easier to find a job. for example, when you go to the v.a. homepage under quick links, under, quote, federal jobs for veterans, end quote, this is close to what i want but private sector jobs are not listed since it only lists federal jobs and completely omits private sector jobs. to provide private sector jobs on this site you have to click on the veteran service dropdown menu and navigate 28, that is 28 possible links and somehow know that vetsuccess is the proper link while you're doing
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all these 28 links. there's no simple link for veterans employment or veterans jobs. instead you need to know that the vetsuccess program is what you're looking for. if you are unfamiliar with veterans programs, you may not know that vetsuccess is the web portal for private sector jobs. the title, vetsuccess, isn't even clear in its titles. vetsuccess might be the link for successful navigation of the veterans affairs bureaucracy. the title should clearly mention jobs or employment to make it easier for our veterans. then my colleagues, once you get to the vetsuccess webpage, you must register to look up jobs. you can't just type in your zip code and get a list of jobs. my office had to fill out an excessively long form. then monitor our spam filter to catch the and then case email, verification that we signed up for, and then we waited for a
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follow-up email to get our password to finally access the vetsuccess job portal. can imagine the frustration that must occur? this is too high a hurdle for something so simple as a job listing for veterans. you should be able to simply go to this one site, type your zip code in, and simply get a list of the job listings. when i was finally able to type in by zip code and found jobs in my hometown of ocala, florida, i got a list of about 60 jobs, mostly menial jobs, driving as a chauffeur or lawn care jobs. but when i went to monster.com, the private side, i don't need to register to do a quick lookup for the 240 jobs that were listed within 20 miles of my hometown. that success needs to be more like monster.com, immediate access to job listings by zip code without hiding behind vage titles and a crowded drop menu
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with excessive registration requirements. the purpose of my bill, my colleagues, is to get the v.a. thinking about how they should properly address the needs for veterans. provide good customer service and lower the barriers to get this information. this type of employment information should be easily accessible in plain, simple language on the v.a.'s homepage, and the vet success program should provide these job listings without making veterans jump through so many hoops. with that in mind, mr. buyer, i want to thank you and thank mr. filner, the chairman, for allowing this bill to come forward. i hope my colleagues will vote in the affirmative. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida yields the balance of his time of the. the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i want to congratulate mr. stearns on this legislation. these worked on on it as can you tell he's put a lot of time and effort into this. the only thing i would add is that it's not just veterans of
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those who have been recently discharged from the military. we also have guardsmen and reservists who are returning, we just had a brigade return from tennessee, and of those -- of this brigade that has just returned from a theater of war, 40% do not have jobs waiting on them. think about that. 40% of those just now coming back from a theater of war don't have a job waiting on them. so it's not just the veterans who may have served the nation many years ago, it's of those who are returning who are still active guardsmen and reservists yet now they don't have that job to come back to. and we better get leaning forward on this one. mr. stearns, i want to thank you for your legislation. i want to thank the chairman for supporting the legislation. i urge all members to support h.r. 3685. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: i urge my colleagues to unanimously support h.r. 3685. i yield back the balance of my time.
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the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the question, members, is now will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 3685. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. mr. buyer: i call for the yeas and nays. i'd like a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. . a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 and the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? mr. filner: mr. speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r. 3787 as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 365, h.r. 3787, a bill
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diem diem -- a bill to amend title 38, united states code, to deep certain service in the reserve components as active service for purposes of laws administered by the secretary of veterans affairs. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. filner, and the gentleman from indiana, mr. buyer, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. filner: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. filner: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that and to include extraneous material on the bill. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. filner: there are more than a million people performing a wide variety of duties to combat missions and responding to natural disasters at home. the two commanders, the president have called upon active duty components and the governor of the state.
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they were first on the scene following hurricane katrina and during the recent british petroleum oil spill, or b.p., oil spill in the gulf of mexico. at age 60, members of the guard with 20 years of service qualify for benefits similar to military retirees but cannot be designated as veterans of the armed services. as such, these so-called gray area retirees can't call them seves retired. they are not saluted during veteran tributes and do not enjoy several veteran honors. this bill will allow them to call themselves veterans. national guard who are eligible for a nonregular retirement but who are never called to active duty during their careers to be called veterans for honorary purposes. the chief sponsor of this bill is representative walz from
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minnesota. he served 24 years in the national guard rising to the rank of command sergeant major. in fact, is the highest ranking enlisted men ever elected to this congress. when he was called to active duty for the period requirement to earn him full veteran status he realized that many of his brothers and sisters were denied that honor. this legislation is supported by members of the military coalition and national military veterans alliance which support two million veterans and their families. i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting h.r. 3787, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. buyer: i rise also in support of h.r. 3787 as amended, introduced by my good friend, tim walz of the minnesota national guard. and i know where he wanted to go with this legislation.
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i think what he's done is really he struck the right compromise. i discussed this even at the time in the committee. we don't like to think of america as a coalition government, but in fact that's what we are. we are states out there for which we all have to recognize, the constitutions of each of the states and we are binded together by a u.s. constitution . and different states have their own militia but at the same time they are also under the united states code and can be called upon. when they're called upon to serve in the federal status, in particular, serving the nation at war for a period of greater than 180 days or are injured on active duty, they gain access to not only being called a veteran but also to veterans benefits. but this is a pretty good title. it's an honorary title with regard to those who served greater than 20 years in the national guard and they had not been called to active duty for an extended period of time
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which would make them eligible for v.a. benefits under the statute. and so i think what the gentleman from minnesota has tried to do is strike the appropriate balance, and i believe that he has found it. i would urge all members to support h.r. 3787 as amended, and i congratulate the former sergeant major on a job well done, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: mr. speaker, i also yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. members, the question is now whether the house will suspend the rules and pass h.r. 3787 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. without objection, the title is amended. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? mr. filner: mr. speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r. 5630. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of
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the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 367, h.r. 5630, a bill to amend title 38, united states code, to provide for qualifications for vocational rehabilitation counselors and vocational rehabilitation employment coordinators employed by the department of veterans affairs. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. filner, and the gentleman from indiana, mr. buyer, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. filner: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. filner: and ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h.r. 5630. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. filner: thank you, mr. speaker. i'd like to commend representative john boozman of arkansas for introducing this bill which seeks to set minimum educational and training standards for certain employees of the vocational rehabilitation employment program operated by the department of veterans affairs. this would of course help veterans while they are seeking
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employment goals. and i wreeb. the speaker pro tempore: -- mr. filner: and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana is recognized. mr. buyer: i rise in strong support of h.r. 5630, a bill which would set certain requirements for professional level of jobs in department of veterans affairs and rehab programs. the government accountability office reported that 1/3 of the v.a. regional offices did not have the skills needed to properly serve the disabled veterans who come to them for help. although it is our understanding that the v.a. currently hires counselors with a masters degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, they do not require them to retain certification from a national certifying organization. there are also no educational qualification for v.a. employment coordinators. to ensure that the v.a.
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rehabilitation counselors are the best qualified in the field, h.r. 5630 would set a minimum hiring standard at a masters degree for required counselors to obtain national certification within five years of hiring and to maintain these qualifications. employment coordinators would be required to have a relevant bachelors degree and obtain certification of five years to maintain these certifications. counselors and coordinators who fail to comply to these standards would be subject to term flakes. mr. speaker, these are -- termination. mr. speaker, these are common requirements to make sure that our veterans receive the best vocational rehabilitation and employment services as possible. i urge my colleagues to support h.r. 5630. and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. members, the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 5630. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no.
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in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended and the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? mr. filner: move -- i move to suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r. 5993 as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 5993, a bill to amend title 38, united states code, to ensure that beneficiaries of servicemembers' group life insurance receive financial counseling and disclosure information regarding life insurance payments, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. filner, and the gentleman from indiana, were buyer, each will control 20 -- mr. buyer, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. filner. mr. filner: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. filner: and i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h.r. 5993 as amended. the speaker pro tempore:
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without objection, the gentleman from california, mr. filner, is recognized. mr. filner: mr. speaker, i rise in strong support of h.r. 5993, the security america veterans insurance needs and goals or savings act. this bill was sponsored by one of our esteemed colleagues, representative debbie halvorson of illinois, to make sure that sgla receive financial counseling, greater disclosure information and other needed support concerning the proceeds of their sgli life insurance benefits. mrs. halvorson acted very quickly in response to some of the publicity on this and some of the pain felt by many of those -- the survivors. and i would yield as much time as she may consume to mrs. halvorson to explain the bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from illinois is recognized. mrs. halvorson: thank you, mr. chairman, for yielding. mr. speaker, i rise today on behalf of military families and the surviving family members of our men and women that were killed in battle as they fought
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to defend our freedom. h.r. 5993 will help us ensure that the families of our soldiers killed in action fully understand the benefits that they are entitled to and to help them comprehend the financial products that they are using. as many of our colleagues know, mr. speaker, many of our soldiers participate in the servicemembers' group insurance program, or the sgli, as they fight overseas. the sgli is intended to provide our service members and their families with low-cost life insurance under circumstances where most insurance companies would not take the risk of providing life insurance coverage. in the tragic circumstance that a soldier is killed in action, the surviving family member is then entitled to a policy that helps ease some of the financial burdens left behind. currently the beneficiary may
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receive the payment in the form of what's called a retained asset account, which is administered by the insurance company. these financial products are similar to a checking account in that they allow the beneficiary the ability to drawdown the funds in increments until exhausted. unfortunately, there have been recent media reports highlighting that some beneficiaries did not fully understand that their money was being held in these accounts. i know i was outraged as many of my colleagues were to hear the lack of disclosure and transparency that is what we're fixing today. addressing disclosure, transparency and accountability so that our families know exactly what they have to them. they didn't understand what these accounts were, what was happening to their money, when it was sitting in these
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accounts and, three, that these accounts were not fdic insured. so these left the beneficiaries feeling as though they were being taken advantage of and that they were part of a financial scheme buried in the fine print of their policy. surviving family members of our fallen soldiers should never feel that way. it's our responsibility to make sure that they don't ever feel that way again. we need to make sure that 100% of these survivors feel protected and safe. my bill, which is endorsed by the american legion, the national military family association, the military officers association of america, the gold star wives america, on and on and on and on, and i have letters from all of them that i want to include in the record. however, i want to read an excerpt from the national military family association. it says, dear representative
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halvorson, the national military family association has long been an advocate for improving the quality of life of our military family members who have sacrificed greatly in support of our nation. we are writing today in support of h.r. 5993 which seeks to ensure that insurance companies provide appropriate information and financial counseling to survivors who receive payments from the sgli groups. h.r. 5993, the security american veterans insurance needs and goals, which is called the savings act, which you have introduced, would mandate that the secretary of veterans affairs require companies providing coverage through these programs only provide counseling and disclosure information to family members of fallen soldiers. the national military family association is the leading nonprofit organization committed to improving the
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lives of military families. our over 40 years of service and accomplishments have made us a trusted resource for families and the nation leaders. as the only nonprofit organization that represents the families of the army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard and the commission corps of the public health service and the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, the association protects benefits vital to all families, including those of the deployed, wounded and fallen. . this is badly needed so the families know exactly what they have available to them so that they can make the best decisions with those benefits. it focuses on making congress also better aware of what these programs are about. again, let me be perfectly clear. today we are strictly focused on disclosure, transparency,
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financial counseling, and oversight. and make no mistake, we need to do more work on improving the sgli program. i think we are all committed to doing so and -- doing that and that's being done through investigations through the v.a. and other committees of jurisdiction, but we can't wait on military -- our military families can't wait, the families of our fallen soldiers cannot wait. and today we have the opportunity to move forward on an important protection for our military families. and this is an urgent issue and it's absolutely needs to be our main focus. it's our responsibility to go above and beyond the call of duty. they sure have. and we need to protect these widows and/or fans -- orr fans. this is -- orphans. h.r. 5 93 will help us fulfill
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the responsibility in a reasonable and effective manner. before i close, i'd like to thank chairman filner, chairman hall, as well as all of our committee staff who have worked so hard to move this legislation along. and we have all worked hard on this bill. i urge my colleagues to stand with me, protect the families of our fallen soldiers by voting yes on h.r. 5993. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back the balance of my time. to chairman filner. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: i thank the gentlelady. within a day of the publicity that surrounded the prudential apparently not giving sufficient information, you had this bill. you move very quickly and decisively and it's going to help all of the survivors and their families. thank you so much for your quick action. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: mr. speaker, i rise in opposition, opposition to
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this bill. and for that very moment chairman compliments the gentlelady for having legislation immediately upon a concern. it is so much like an american. we don't have the patience to figure out what the problem is, let me tell you about our solution. what we are supposed to do around this place is do a little homework, do a little investigation, find out what's going on, have the facts, find out what the facts are in the first place. oh, no, no, no. let's run out there and act like we are, quote, doing something when we don't even know what the heck we are doing. the reason the american people get upset with us and get upset with this institution, especially now when you get so close to an election, you have to protect and guard yourself against politics over substance. this bill by forcing it on to the floor at this moment in time is exactly that. this bill condones a
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controversial practice the v.a. called retained asset or alliance accounts for paying service members' group life insurance, sgli, proceeds to the families of deceased service members. we all thought that the statute was being followed. it wasn't. someone years ago down at the v.a. changed it. the veterans' affairs committee, we have not had an adequate time to address the issues on this bill. there's no record on which can be based in foreign policy decisions or see valuate the views. none of us had the opportunity to do that. i got to see one of the executives from prudential came by the office. we had a very good discussion about concerns i can address later. the use of these accounts in place of the sgli lump sum payment called for in the federal statute is currently the subject of a federal fraud lawsuit in boston by five
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plaintiffs against the prudential life insurance company. prudential is the v.a.'s contractor manning -- managing the program and making the payments. the new york's attorney general has launched an investigation of prudential as well. my colleagues on the committee know next to nothing about a very complex issue. its history, the catastrophe -- controversy surrounding it. i would like to know more about it myself before i vote on it. i'm learning something new almost every day i deal with this issue. the issue requires careful deliberation by the committee. we should not have to base decisions on media reports in bloomberg or "the washington post." >> would the gentleman yield? mr. buyer: i yield to the gentlelady from north carolina. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina. ms. foxx:thank you, mr. speaker. it's my understanding this bill is being brought to the floor in a rush without there even being any hearings in the
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committee. mr. buyer: reclaiming my time. when we marked up the bill in the committee i raised very pertinent issues. i sought to work with the author of the bill. she had no interest in working out an amendment on the language. i thought what would happen is -- i won't offer the amendment, the committee, we'll work this matter out as we learn more. the chairman even spoke about this week we are to have done a hearing on this bill. we get notice on friday that they want to bring it to the floor. we are supposed to be doing a hearing on the bill this week. before we bring it to the floor. but what's happening is this body called congress is in a panic. ms. foxx: would the gentleman further yield? i think again we are seeing the house democrats are proving not only can they not -- that they run out of ideas but they have
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run out of the will to govern. they won't make a budget. they won't deal with these impending tax hikes that we are going to have. i heard you sound on the floor a few minutes ago that 40% of the reservists are coming back without jobs. and all our friends across the aisle seem to want to do is to get home so they can campaign for their own jobs instead of doing something to remove the uncertainty that's keeping small business from hiring new employees, many of them veterans, many of them reservists coming back. we must do something about these tax hikes that are looming and provide some certainty for small businesses. i hope you agree with that. mr. buyer: reclaiming my time. the challenges before the body is, we now have legislation before us of which is on an issue which is now being thrown into the courts and we've got a statute that's not being followed by the executive
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branch. and it is completely within the rights of congress to speak, but we got to be very careful. do we understand the scope and issues at hand? i submit we do not. and we are eagerly rushing something on to the floor. let me go a little bit further. my colleague, mrs. halvorson, argued that this bill does not change the existing payment authority and does not address the legality of retained assets accounts for sgli purposes. but i'm also a lawyer and i re spectfully suggest it may -- i respectfully suggest it may do just that. i am not alone with this view. i have been talking with other lawyers about my legal analysis of this present challenge. after the markup one of the representatives of one of the veteran service organizations of whom i have had disagreements with over the years came up to me and told me that he agreed with the concerns. members of the committee actually regret i didn't offer
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the amendment. i just -- i guess i never thought that this would actually come to the floor until these matters got addressed. it's laudable to require the v.a. to counsel sgli beneficiaries on their benefits. the payment methods available to very clear in statute. very clear already in the statute. but this bill goes a lot further and specifically requires counseling about something the bill terms, quote, maintaining the mamente, end quote. -- payment, end quote. what is that? the statute's already very clear what you are to do with the money when it comes to widows and orphans or other beneficiaries. this is a reference to the retained asset account payment method without calling it that. i think it is reasonable to ask congress how congress can tell the v.a. to counsel anyone about prudential's practice that may be illegal without
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well informing them of what prudential is doing may be illegal and is being challenged in a federal class action today. unless, of course, we change the law and expolice itly make the practice legal, which mrs. halvorson maintains she's not doing but somehow i don't think that full disclosure is going to occur. i completely understand how my colleagues might find all this rather confusing. i don't find it funny, either. i'm also confused by mr. chairman's report statement after the bloomberg article was released that he was outraged and the v.a. should demand answers. did we get answers? and now everything is all right? did the v.a. self-investigation resolve everything? the white house has also made a statement calling this an unacceptable business practice. have the unacceptable business practices been identified? have they been stopped?
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has something changed and now congress should mandate that the v.a. give specific counseling on the, quote, outrageous and the quote, unacceptable business practice? that's what this legislation does. mr. speaker, this complex issue is directly before congress in the form of h.r. 5993, as amended. we should not be effectively ratifying this practice by requiring the v.a. to counsel beneficiaries about it. instead, we should give careful scrutiny and make shore we understand sufficiently to decide whether to expressly authorize it in the law for the future. our service members and veterans and their families in the v.a., prudential and life insurance experts, should all have an opportunity to weigh in on the record. i want to make sure that it's clear and that i'm not taking a position for or against the practice of retained asset accounts. the real problem as i see it is that the retained asset
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accounts now as they have been questioned are receiving scrutiny, appear not to match the payment authorized in the united states code. so when you pull out the united states code, and we are talking about the present statute, so you turn to title 38, section 1790, and then you turn to d-n says the member may elect settlement of this insurance under this subcontractor either in lump sum or 36 equal monthly installments. it doesn't say anything in the statute about retained asset accounts. now, why is that? it's because go back to legislative history. when this statute was written back in the mid 1960's there was no such thing as retained asset accounts. so what has changed? there is a common accepted business practice in america with regard to retained asset accounts. now, in the latter part of the
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1990's the v.a. struck an agreement with produce tension then to adopt that business practice. but what they did is they adopted a business practice that is contradictory to the united states code. the statute. so this bill before us is about to say we should counsel the -- the v.a. should provide counsel to the beneficiaries about a business practice that is not even legal. that's like saying, ok, in title 10 it is illegal to smoke marijuana but another statute congress is going to provide counseling on the proper use of an illegal substance. they say, steve, that's crazy. you are absolutely right that's crazy. that's why this legislation before us today is crazy. we should not be saying we are going to provide counseling with regard to some agreement that the executive branch struck that's in contradiction to the statute. now, you've got the v.a. and prudential immediately they do a powwow.
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we got a problem. we got to try to define this. the white house has made a statement. it says unacceptable. we got to figure out, come together and strike an agreement. this is groundhog day. this agreement -- i ask unanimous consent the agreement be placed in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. buyer: this agreement is groundhog day, mr. speaker. the agreement that the executive branch struck with an insurance company back in the latter part of the 1990's was not authorized for them to do because of the statute says how sgli payments are to go directly to beneficiaries. it doesn't say you can do three or four other types of payment schedules. it only says two of them. you either give them a lump sum or you do 36 monthly installments. it's very clear. so this new agreement, it's just as worthless as the agreement they struck in the 1990's when it comes to the law. so i guess maybe makes them feel better. maybe they hope it takes the heat off.
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this thing -- this agreement is about politics. it's about substance and legality. and it's about public relations. but if you really want it to be about the law, then what we should do is look at the law and we need to say, ok, then maybe you need to amend the code. if you have to amend the code to say we want to permit retained asset accounts, then that's in fact what we should be doing. i reserve my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. . mr. filner: i thank the speaker. by the way, i didn't see a copy of the agreement. when is the date of that agreement, mr. buyer? i'd yield to the gentleman. mr. buyer: september 13. mr. filner: of what year? mr. buyer: 2010. mr. filner: 2010. thank you. the gentleman, the ranking member and i have no
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disagreement that this law before us is not about substance. there is an investigation ongoing. we are -- our committee is investigating. we will have hearings on this. but it's not politics over substance. it's accountability right now over substance. and all of the leading organizations which have to deal with the beneficiaries, with the survivors, of those killed in action support this bill. the national military families association, the gold star wives, amongst others. so this legislation is upfront. it's about process. it's about accountability.
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it's about disclosure. it's about people understanding the process. this bill doesn't condone anything. it just says that those grief-stricken survivors know what's happening to them under the procedure we have. whether it's a proper procedure, whether it's based on an illegal account, it's something that the courts are working out and we're investigating. right now everybody just wants to know what is going on and to have the insurance company to disclose everything in advance so things can be done by the grief-stricken survivors. that's all we're doing in this bill. it's all we were doing. and it's needed. it is in fact requested. it's demanded by those who represent the survivors that we act quickly to give some measure of accountability and disclosure to those who are --
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to those beneficiaries. we need this bill. we need it now. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: here's our challenge. we got -- i don't know about these other groups, mr. chairman, that you talked to. i spoke to the new chairman of the american legion -- mr. filner: mr. speaker, how much time does each side have? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california has 9 1/2. the gentleman from indiana 8 1/2. mr. filner: 8 1/2. mr. buyer: i'm going to take all of it. i'll even take your time if you give it to me. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: you know, you can stand up and you say, well,
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this veterans group supports it and this one doesn't. you cited the american legion. i spoke to the brand new commander of the american legion who supports my position. i can assure you now that i'm speaking about the fact that there's a legal problem, the fact that i informed the executive of prudential with regard of this way forward you signed with the v.a. does not get you out of the hot water that you're in. there's a legal problem here, and the four corners of the document that we have before us is actually legislation that uses this clever and artful language about maintaining the lump sum payment. maintaining the lump sum payment. it's almost like code word for saying we want to maintain our current business practice of the retained asset account. because that's what the way forward agreement is. it's very clever. this is very wrong. you know, here's what we ought
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to do, mr. speaker. i'm going to ask the chairman, chairman filner, never done this before on the house floor to anyone in my 18 years but i'm going to ask this of you. would the gentleman -- would the gentleman ask that this legislation be pulled from the floor at this time so we may work out the details rather than having this heated debate? you said you'd have a hearing on it. let's work this out with our legal experts and let's bring a work product to the floor that we can proud of. i'd ask the gentleman if he would withdraw this legislation? mr. filner: the gentleman stands behind mrs. halvorson's bill and we will not withdraw it. mr. buyer: oh, he will not. well, all right. this was a very good moment for bipartisanship to actually bring a work product to the floor that which we could all agree. and i'm greatly disappointed, bob, that you made that judgment call. but i -- this is not right. this isn't right at all.
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hold on. you know, the suspension calendar, mr. speaker, is supposed to be for legislation that's noncontroversial. it's supposed to be for legislation that the parties have worked out in a collegial manner, not to take something for which there is utterly and complete disagreement, not to take something that there's been no hearings on, not to take an issue that it now finds itself in attorney general's investigations and class action lawsuits and we are going to bring it to the floor even though we are going to pass a statute that's in complete contradiction of an existing statute. what are we doing? i mean, this is really a time-out moment here. this is a time-out moment, mr. speaker, and it is very, very
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bothersome to me that this would be placed on the suspension calendar in which this is a week which we were supposed to hold hearings on it. i know, mr. speaker, that you are anxious to get out of here and you want to adjourn us for an election. but don't take legislation to the floor that is not ready to go to the floor. it's wrong in my book. but you're the majority and you actually been able to show that you can do as you please. i want the record to reflect my views on what is happening here and also i will file additional views with the bill and the report to explain in greater detail the legality of which i feel we are facing. and i will do everything in my power to ensure that this bill does not become law until it's fixed. with that i'll yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from indiana yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: i thank the speaker. we had a little lecture on the
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suspension calendar which is supposed to be item of consensus. this item was discussed and voted on by our committee. if i recall there was one no, the ranking member. there were no other no votes. the ranking member confuses his singular and personal opposition to the fact that oh, i guess everybody disagrees with him. no, this came out of our committee with one no vote. so the gentleman just doesn't understand what consensus means. he thinks if he alone is against it, as i recall he was the only one that voted against the -- what was that bill? oh, i remember. that's correct. i thank the staff for
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remembering. the only no vote on a new way to approach financing and that was advanced appropriations. mr. buyer: to be congenial. mr. filner: i had not yielded my time, mr. speaker. mr. buyer: i will not be marginalized by your constant behavior. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california controls the time. mr. filner: i thank you. the gentleman gave us a lecture on suspension calendar and consensus. he was the only no vote, he was the only no vote when we had advanced appropriations. everybody else is wrong but the gentleman. you know, this bill, as i said before, and as mrs. halvorson said very distinctly and very eloquently is about disclosure, accountability, transparency. the survivors need to know what's going on. we will, as the gentleman
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requested, have and are pursuing the investigation. we are pursuing whether the so-called retained asset accounts is the legal structure that should have that. the v.a. is pursuing that, and we will get to that. but right now, right now as men and women are dying in action their survivors need to know what is going on. we can't wait for this process to go and go and go and go. pearblely when they have -- especially when they have a big insurance company trying them. the gentleman asks, i don't know what organizations support us. the american legion has a letter supporting this. i didn't hear any letter that the gentleman had. as mrs. halvorson said, the national military family association supports this bill. and the gold star wives of america, the preeminent group that works for the benefit of
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survivors of those who are killed in action sent us the following letter -- in light of the recent news that insurance companies could potentially use group life insurance companies to profit from accounts it maintains of families of fallen soldiers, gold star wives of america supports h.r. 5993. it would ensure that insurance companies authorized by v.a. to administer the sgli accounts are fully open and honest about its practices for those policies on which so many service members rely to ensure financial security for their families. the bill, the savings act, introduced by representative debbie halvorson of illinois, would mandate that the secretary of veterans affairs to offer financial counseling and disclose information to family members and survivors. it is critical that the options and information available for survivors offered under the sgli program involve more disclosure and greater
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transparency. h.r. 5993 would do that by guaranteeing that survivors of our fallen heroes have access to oral and written financial counseling. this greater disclosure requirements and counseling would help -- better help survivors to understand their options so that they may make sound decisions during a stressful and sore o'ful time. gold star -- sorrowful time. comboled star wives -- gold star wives of america protect our fallen soldiers. their loved ones have answered the call and their survivors deserve these protections. i ask unanimous consent that this letter be made part of the record and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. the question is will how, members, will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 5993, as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, and the bill is
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passed -- the gentleman from indiana. mr. buyer: i ask for the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. the speaker pro tempore: for
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what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill h.r. 2853 as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 2853, a bill to require the purchase of domestically made flags of the united states of america for use by the federal government. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. driehaus, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. driehaus: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. driehaus: mr. speaker, h.r. 2853, the all-american flag act, ensures that the flags purchased by the federal government will be made right here in the united states. ensuring that tax dollars used for these purchases will stay here in our economy. h.r. 2853 was introduced by our
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colleague, the gentleman from iowa, representative bruce braley, on june 12, 2009. it was referred to the house committee on oversight and government reform which ordered the measure reported by unanimous consent on july 28, 2010. this bill requires that all flags of the united states of america of any size be 100% manufactured here in the united states. this also includes any articles, materials or supplies used to manufacture or produce those flags. those materials must all be produced here. this represents the vast improvement over existing law which only requires 50% of these materials to be american made. mr. speaker, h.r. 2853 ensures that the flag of this country, flown by this country will be made in this country. . i thank my colleagues for their hard work on this bill and i ask them to join me in this commonsense legislation. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california.
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mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i'd like to thank the author of the bill and ask the committee working on this, i think we have been able to not overwhelm address the issue of where flags are made and what material goes into those flags, but because of the overwhelming bipartisan support for my amendment, we are also going to make sure those flags are made by legal americans. i think that that is something that was overlooked. in fact i think if i remember right the vote in committee was unanimous except for one vote, let's just say that. i think that that bipartisan support for the fact that we want flags flying over our capitol made in america, with american material, and by americans who are legally here with a great message. i think that's the kind of bipartisan support and consensus that the american people have been asking about for a long time. i think one of the things we clarify here is that with the amendment that the majority
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accepted from me, we were able to point out that there may be a lot of disagreements about the immigration issue, a lot of differences about where jobs go, but if there's one place that we can kind of meet together, the one thing that seems to be working was success of e-verify. one place the bush administration and the obama administration agrees on, the expansion of e-verify as being the minimum standard that we make sure employers take. including those who are making the flags for our country. that are going to fly over this capitol. i think the one thing -- only place that one can actually think about it when it comes to immigration that arizona and massachusetts agree on. that is employers should e-verify not just to make sure that those who are here legally are working, but also to make sure that we do not prejudge employees before. one great things with e-verify it doesn't ask the employtory make a determination based on just shear observation is somebody a u.s. citizen or
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foreign national. it treats everybody equally. i think that's one of the big successes here. i just like to say again i think one of the big successes of this bill is not just that the american people will know that the flags that fly over our capitol are made in america with american material and with legal americans, but the fact is symbolic of the success of the majority supporting my amendment is that this amendment -- this bill will actually show, too, that, america, we can agree on one thing on immigration. that e-verify seems to be a success all of us can get around w that, mr. chairman, i -- with that, chairman, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i continue 20 -- to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield to the gentlelady for a minute and a half. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina vked. ms. foxx.
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ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i appreciate my colleague from california yielding the time. mr. speaker, we are requiring flags to be made in the united states because our colleagues say they are concerned about jobs. house republicans are also very much concerned about jobs in this country and we have been listening to the american people. unemployment near 10% is one of the key concerns of the people in this country. so they want to know why democrats are allowing both chambers to adjourn this week without stopping this massive $3.9 trillion tax increase that will hurt small businesses and kill more jobs. our friends across the aisle can adjourn the house this week and walk away from their responsibility to govern or speaker pelosi could allow full and open debate on tax increases before this house is adjourned. we want an up or down vote now. we can't allow the american people and small businesses to face this uncertainty. we were elected to serve the
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people in our districts not to put our personal political gain ahead of our constituents' welfare. certainly we want to make efforts to keep jobs in america such as through bills like this one, but especially by giving certainty to businesses. let's vote before we adjourn to extend tax cuts for all americans, no family, and no job creating small business owner should face a tax increase on january 1. with that, i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. the gentleman from california continues to reserve. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. again, this bill is about creating american flags in the united states of america purchased by the federal government. i very much appreciate the gentlelady's concern over small businesses and business creation. that's why this house and the senate came together and passed the small business bill last week. which the president siped yesterday. creating more -- signed yesterday.
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creating more jobs in small businesses allowing capital to flow into small businesses through our community banks. it's a step in the right direction. create businesses here in the united states. i'm pleased we passed it. i'm sorry that the republicans didn't join us in that vote in support for small businessings. again, i will remind the gentlelady that small businesses benefit from the health care bill as well. getting a tax credit for providing health insurance for their employees for the first time. the small business community has been shut out of the process of receiving tax credits for providing health insurance. i'm proud of what we have done for small businesses here in this congress and will continue to work on behalf of small businesses w that i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio roips the behalf of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield 30 seconds to the gentlelady from north carolina. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. unfortunately our colleagues across the aisle are stuck on failure. the bailout, one after the other, last week the bill that was passed here, the $30
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billion, another bailout of banks. it's a failure. everything that our friends across the aisle mostly recommended by the president has failed. our unemployment rate which was never supposed to go above 8% based on the stimulus is at almost 10%. your ways of doing this are to keep the american people under the control of the government, tax credit, make them beholden. that's not the way to do it. no tax increases is the way to do it. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california continues to reserve. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: i would like to comment on the lady's comments. i invite her to come to cincinnati, ohio, where the banks project, largest project in cincinnati, is moving forward because of the recovery act. she can meet the hundreds of workers she calls a failure. or she could go to the bridge that's being painted by 90 employees. also funded by the recovery act.
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that crosses the ohio river. it's the suspension bridge that connects kentucky and cincinnati. again i don't consider that to be a failure. nor do i consider to be a fill your the hundreds if not thousands of jobs in the state of ohio that police and firefighters now have, the thousands of jobs that teachers now have because the recovery act. mr. speaker, i think it was crystal clear in the c.b.o. report that came out just a few weeks ago that the recovery act in fact saved or created 3.5 million jobs here in the united states. i will remind the lady of the failures of the bush economic policies that led us into the worst recession in our lifetime. our failure was the last six months of 2008 when we saw the loss of three million jobs in this economy. i don't call saving and creating 3.5 million jobs a failure. and i would challenge her to come to cincinnati and look those workers in the face that are working on i-75, that are working on the banks project, and suggest to them that their
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paychecks are a failure of the federal government. with that, mr. speaker, i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio reserves the balance of his time of the the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. bilbray: look, mr. chairman. we can talk about successes and failures, some people think that the stimulus package costing $200,000 per job on the average is not something that is sustainable. let's talk about something we can agree is a success. and that is we were able to meet on this bill and talk about the fact that -- it's one of those few things we have been able to reach across the aisle and work on. that the flags that not only are flown over this capitol and around the country, but as somebody who has the privilege of -- and honor of having my -- the flag that was on my father's casket fly in my -- basically be hung in my office, this will mean that the men and women who served in the military and fought for the freedom and for the free
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enterprise system that makes our freedom possible, will be able to be sure that they will not be covered with a flag made in china. they will not have slave labor making those stars and stripes that are laid over their casket. that the sacred oath that we make to them in so many different ways will include that the honor of military funeral and having the nation's colors draped over their casket, you will be assured that it will be said to be made in america. so with that i think that we need to look at where is the success we can work on? this is one of those places we have been able to meet. as we have been able to meet with -- talking about how the flags are made and especially, finally, some agreement on who should be working in this country, i think it's one of those things that i hope we can build on. mr. speaker, if i can suggest that maybe republicans and democrats rather than talking
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about amnesty here or this proposal, we join on a bill that so common sensible that we don't even talk about it. 3580 by mr. king of -- steve king, all that bill says is let's build on the success of e-verify and tell employers that we as a government will no longer allow you to have a tax deduction for employing somebody unless you take the time to check that person is legal in the country. there's a place republicans and democrats can agree on. there's a place we can reach a common ground and find answers rather than pointing out each other's shortcomings. i got to say again, i ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, look at steve king's new idea bill, 3580, it is the most moderate, it is the most common sense proposal you can put forward and all it says is be an employer can deduct the expense of hiring somebody, they darn well ought to take the time to check that they are
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legally in the country. that i think is something that we can agree on. i would love to see if before we adjourn and maybe when we come back we meet that middle ground and show the american people we no only stand up and make sure that flags are made legally in this country but we can take this step to make sure that employers who are breaking the law by hiring people illegally are not giving a tax deduction for it. i think that's one place the republicans and democrats can join together and the americans when it comes to these issues. i reserve my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: i continue to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: thank you very much, mr. speaker. we have no other speakers at this time. so i just close by saying i think we have had a good discussion here. there's agreements and disagreement, but i think we found an agreement here. after all if americans cannot get together and agree american flags should be made with
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american material in the united states, by legal americans, my god, what can we not agree on, or what can we agree on? i think this is one thing that maybe small, most people don't think it's a big deal, but hopefully maybe this is a prototype, blueprint for democrats and republicans getting together and agreeing to the americans first and voting together and passing the kind of laws the american people have been waiting for a long time. with that, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time of the the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: i very much respect the gentleman's remarks and i, too, have the flag of my father's coffin in my office. we buried him two years ago last week. it means something very special to me we have come together to support this legislation. when it comes to our federal tax dollars being spent on american flags, those jobs should be in the united states. those flags should be made in the united states. the parts of those flags should be made in the united states.
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i appreciate the support of all the members of the committee and i applaud representative braillely for bringing the bill forward. mr. speaker, i again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio yields back the balance of his time. members, the question is will the house suspend the rule and pass h.r. 2853, as amended. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table -- the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: i object to the vote on the grounds a quorum is not present and i make a point of order a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on the question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. driehaus: thank you, mr.
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speaker. i move the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill h.r. 4602. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 4602, a bill to designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 1332 sharon copley road in sharon center, ohio, as the emil bolas post office. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. driehaus, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from ohio. . mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. i yield myself as much time as i may consume. thank you, mr. speaker. on behalf of the committee on oversight and government reform, i'm pleased to present h.r. 4602 for consideration. this legislation will designate the facility of the united states postal service located a the 1332 sharon copley road in sharon center, ohio, as the post
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office. introduced by our friend and colleague from ohio, on february 4, 2010, h.r. 4602 was favorably reported out of the oversight and government reform committee on september 9, 2010. this legislation enjoys the support of the entire ohio delegation to the house. mr. speaker, emil bolas dedicated his life to his county. as noted in the newspaper, his mission in life was helping people and improving his community. as a young man, mr. bolas served in the u.s. army from 1953 to 1961. after finishing his service in the army, mr. bolas focused his time and attention on making his community a better place. mr. bolas served as zoning chairman and was active in a wide array of community organizations, including the drug task force, the ohio foundation for educational excellence, the bioscouts of
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america, the ohio township association and the sharon township heritage society. sadly, mr. bolas passed away on august 14, 2008, following a long battle with cancer. his memory will live on through his adoring family and the countless individuals whose lives he improved through his tireless work on behalf of his community. mr. speaker, let us further honor the life and legacy of i mill bolas through the passage of -- emil bolas through the passage of this bill which will designate the postal facility located on sharon copley road in sharon center, ohio, in his honor. i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. birlbirl -- mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. this istime one time that a californian cannot best the ohio gentleman so i would say i think he presented this item quite appropriately and basically i
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will just say i agree totally with the majority on this item, the gentleman from ohio's not only represented his district but his state and this gentleman quite appropriately and i will yield to the gentleman and his presentation and yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: i appreciate the support of the buckeyes in this case and i thank congressman boccieri for bringing this measure before the house. so, mr. speaker, i again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio yields back the balance of his time. members, the question is now will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 4602. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended and the bill is passed -- the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i object to the vote on the
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grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: further proceedings on the question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill h.r. 5606. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 5606, a bill do designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 47 south seventh street in indiana, pennsylvania, as the james m. "jimmy" stewart post office building. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. driehaus, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i now yield myself as much time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the
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gentleman is recognized. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. on behalf of the house committee on oversight and government reform, i am proud to present h.r. 5606 for consideration. this legislation will designate the facility of the united states postal service locate at 47 south seventh street in indiana, pennsylvania, as the james m. "jimmy" stewart post office building. h.r. 5606 was introduced by our colleague, representative mark critz of pennsylvania, on june 25, 2010. it was favorably reported out of the oversight and government reform committee on july 28, 2010. in addition this legislation enjoys the support of the entire pennsylvania house delegation. as we all know, jimmie stewart was an american film and stage act who are worked in hollywood during its golden age. mr. stewart was born on may 20, 1908 in indiana, pennsylvania, and attended a prep school. after graduating from there in 1928, mr. stewart went on to attend princeton university where he developed a life-long love for acting in 1939 mr.
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stewart started one of the great films about american politics. "mr. smith goes to washington" which portrays the experience of a yunged founder learning the ropes in washington. the film was a great success and nominated for 11 academy awards in 1939 and won the oscar for best writing and original story. in 1941 mr. stewart enlisted in the army where he was assigned to the 445th bombardment group stationed out of sue st. -- sioux st. -- sioux city army base. he commanded the squadron for the duration of world war ii. notably in 1959 mr. stewart was promoted to brigadier general in the air force reserve and sterved -- served as a nonduty advisor during the vietnam war. in 1989 mr. stewart became a co-founder of the american spirit foundation which applied entertainment industry resources and talent to help develop innovative approaches to public education and to assist emerging democratic movements in the
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former soviet satellite states. mr. stewart also worked with president reagan and chief justice warn berger on initiatives to promote awareness of the constitution and the bill of rights. sadly mr. stewart passed away on july 2, 1997. mr. speaker, let us honor the life and legacy of jimmie stewart through the passage of h.r. 5606. which will designate the poe as it -- postal facility in indiana, pennsylvania, in his honor. i urge my cloog colleagues to join me in supporting this and i reserve the balance of my time. mr. bilbray: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, we'll join in supporting this motion and, frankly, i think that we appreciate mr. stewart for much service in the military but most of us remember him as a great actor. the fact is, many of us may remember him doing one of the extraordinary, almost a solo
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performance as charles lindberg in scenes where he's talking to himself and getting across. i just have to say that i think it's quite appropriate, as some people may not know that jimmy stewart did not fly across the atlantic and land in paris alone. he was playing the role of charles lindberg. but we're very sensitive to that scene and the plane might have been called the spirit of st. louis but itually was built at san diego. but i think that this motion -- great actor, great american, great veteran, is quite appropriate. i would yield my time as this -- at this time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. at this time i would like to yield three minutes to the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from pennsylvania, representative mark critz. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized.
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mr. critz: i ask permission to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. critz: mr. speaker, i rise today in support of h.r. 5606 which would rename the united states postal service building in indiana, pennsylvania, after jimmy stewart. james "jimmy" stewart was born in indiana, pennsylvania. he studied at princeton university where he developed his love of acting before pursuing a career in theater and film. he starred in several movies including the 1938 academy award winning best picture. in 1939 he starred in the acclaimed "mr. smith goes to washington," a fill number which he played an idealist statesman trying to make a difference for his constituents. after his early hollywood success, a sense of patriotism compelled stewart to serve his nation during world war ii. he enlisted in the army in 1941, becoming the first major american movie star to wear the uniform during the war. after the japanese attacked pearl harbor, he helped with
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recruiting efforts and in 1944ef6s sent to europe where he participated in 20 air mission over nazi germany. after the war he continued to play an active role in the air force reserve and was eventually promoted to the rank of mainly general. he served during the vietnam war as nonduty advisor and retired in 1968 after 27 years of military service. stewart resumed his acting career following world war ii and in 1946 he starred in the classic "it's a wonderful life." in 1989 he co-founded the american spirit foundation which helped develop new approaches to public education and assisted in budding democratic movements in former soviet satellite states. he retired from acting in 1991 after providing the voice for sheriff wily burke in "an american tail: fival goes west." he anear 92 films, television programs and shorts. he passed way in 1997 in beverly
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hills, california. mr. speaker, renaming the indiana, pennsylvania, post office is fitting for onest most inspiring and patriotic actors of the 21st century. i thank mr. driehaus for yielding and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. members, the he question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended -- mr. bilbray: mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i regrettably object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 5605, a bill to designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 47 east fayette street in union town, pennsylvania, as the george c. marshall post office. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. driehaus, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, leech control 20 minutes -- each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i now yield as much time as he may consume to the author of the legislation, the representative from pennsylvania, mr. critz. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. critz: i ask permission to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. critz: mr. speaker, thank you, mr. chairman, for yielding.
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mr. speaker, i rise today in support of h.r. 5605 which would rename the facility of the united states postal service in uniontown, pennsylvania, after its most famous son, george c. marshall jr. most notable for the marshall plan, he was born on december 31, 1880 in the coal hills of southwestern pennsylvania. marshall was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the u.s. army in 1902, following his graduation from the virginia military institute. he quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed chief of staff of the army in 1939 by president frankly roosevelt. marshall inherited an army on the cusp of a second world war and oversaw the largest military expansion in u.s. history. in 1944, he became the first american general to be promoted to a five-star rank. the newly created general of the army. marshall resigned his post of chief of staff of the army in 1945 and devoted himself to international security and peace. between 1945 and 1946 he served as the envoy for president truman in china to peacefully
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resolve a conflict between the nationalists and the communists. president truman appointed him as secretary of state in 1947 where he oversaw the marshall plan, the $13 billion economic recovery plan that was instrumental in the rebuilding of europe. for his efforts, marshall seen the nobel peace prize. he retired from the state department in 1949 and became the president of the american red cross. in 1950 president truman appointed marshall secretary of defense. during his tenure he oversaw the formation of a united nations international force that turned back the north korean invasion of south korea. he retired from public life in 1951 and passed way -- away on october 16, 1959. he had a profound impact on the 20th century, not only here in the united states but across the globe. this year we celebrate the 130th anniversary of his birth in renaming his post office in his honor is a fitting tribute to this great soldier, general, secretary and true american statesman. i urge my colleagues to support
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this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio reserves. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: yes, mr. chairman. i would yield myself as much time as i may consume and at this time i'd like to yield to the gentlelady from north carolina. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from north carolina, ms. foxx. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. and i thank my colleague from california for yielding time. certainly, mr. speaker, i think that general marshall was a great man and deserves recognition. in fact, he received a great deal of recognition during his lifetime. he received the nobel prize. however, mr. speaker, this congress has shown an unfortunate propensity for bringing up bills that are not exactly high priorities in the minds of the american people. . our colleagues across the ime, mr. speaker, are not even trying to deal with legislation that the american people do
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want and are clamoring for. the failed trillion dollar stimulus, the government takeover of health care, billions of dollars in bailouts were all pushed through by democrats in charge. but when it comes to making a budget or staving off the largest tax increase in american history, these same democrats are sitting on their hands. it would be a travesty, mr. speaker, for this body to adjourn this week and leave a $3.9 trillion tax increase looming over the heads of american families and small businesses. mr. speaker, we stand here today with more than 30 members of your own party making a simple request, let us have a full and open debate before you impose those job-killing tax hikes on the american people. give us an up or down vote and let the will of the american people have its way. let's stop forfeitering away our time. with that i yield back.
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the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields the balance of the time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of the time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i would remind the members that this is a consent agenda. an agenda where republicans and democrats have come together when the members are not hear to cast votes. they'll be here tomorrow for the votes for the week. this is an opportunity for members of both sides to bring legislation forward which we have recognized certainly throughout meir and a half in congress -- throughout meir and a half in congress. it's through the bipartisan nature which we should be proud of. i don't apologize for bringing these bills to the floor today. i think the republicans have laudable efforts here, i think we have do. i would like to remind the members this is a consent agenda which has been agreed upon by both parties. with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california.
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mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, mr. marshall was not a perfect man. there are those of us who studied history know that the fact is anyone who does very much obviously is going to make mistakes. marshall obviously was a very, very noted figure in history. i think if nothing else when we talk about naming something after someone, we got to remember we are not doing that for that person. we are not honoring that person as much as we are inspiring future generations to try to live up to an idea. so even though mr. marshall might have made mistakes, overall he's still a role model for -- to present and future generations to look at. i think that sadly the fact is that he passed away when -- i'm not going to ask how old the speaker was in 1959, mr. speaker, but the fact is it is
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sad that we have waited this long and so many generations have grown up in this community that have not been recognized that marshall was a hometown boy and maybe every time they went to the post office some grade school child might be able to be inspired to think big, try harder, yet even fail sometimes. i think that one of the things i would ask us to consider though as we go through all these consent items, there are so many things that i'm sure as the gentlelady from north carolina said, what about the things that we aren't doing that we got to recognize that. a lot of frustration out there is that we are naming a lot of post offices and this one's appropriate. as my cousin who was actually a former democratic congressman from las vegas, member of the commission that handled the post offices say, if we don't get together in washington and talk about how we are going to continue to provide the money and the resources to keep these
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post offices open, we have the right to name them. but will they be around to inspire few turn generations? will our actions actually having a staying power if we don't talk about those tough things like the budget, like financial crisis, and many others that we basically sort of swept under the rug? i just think that this is an appropriate bill at this time, but i think that the frustration that we are doing these bills again and again and again and it seems we are not addressing or finding bipartisan support on a lot of other things that the american people would like to look at. that's why i brought up mr. king's bill. it's one of those bill things that too bad the leadership will not consider badly. we just had a case last week that rather than talking about eliminating the tax deduction for the employers of illegal immigrants, they had a comedian and they had a hearing that basically i think a lot of people were very embarrassed with, democrats and republicans. i guess if there was a
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bipartisan response last week was the fact that, my god, have we allowed things to get to this point? i appreciate good comedy, obviously serving in congress, but i think there are mistakes we made. this bill should pass. but sadly we should be talking a lot about other issues that are not even being allowed to come to the floor, mr. speaker, that the american people want us to work on. and i hope that we will be able to get leadership, especially the majority, and sit down with the minority and say, ok, where are those substantive issues that we can agree on and do that? little things that can make a lot of difference like mr. king's bill that eliminates the tax deduction for the people exploiting labor. at this time i would, again, support the bill and i yield back the remainder of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i again thank the gentleman for his support for the legislation before us. so i at this time urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.
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i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 5605. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. mr. bilbray: i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and make a point of order a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill h.r. 6014. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 6014, a bill to designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 212 main street in hartman, arkansas, as the m.r.
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"buckey" walters post office. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. driehaus, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. dri house: -- mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio is recognized. mr. driehaus: thank you. mr. speaker, on behalf of government oversight and reform i'm proud to present this bill for consideration. this legislation will designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 212 main street in hartman, arkansas, as the m.r. "buckey" walters post office. it was introduce bide our friend and colleague representative john boozman of arkansas on july 30, 2010. it was favorably reported out of the oversight and government reform committee on september 23, 2010. the legislation enjoys the support of the entire arkansas house delegation. m.r. "becomey" walters was born on may 22, 1920 in lincoln,
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nebraska, and dedicated his life to the service of his country and arkansas. he served this country proudly for 58 years. spending five years in the army during world war ii and an astonishing 53 years with the united states postal service. 8 -- mr. walters was appointed as a full-time letter carrier for the hartman post office in hartman, arkansas, by president dwight d. eisenhower. after 11 years of exemplary service, he was appointed post master of the office by president lyndon johnson. he developed a reputation as a tireless employee who always went the extra mile for his community. sadly he died on march 16, 2010, at the age of 89. he is survived by his wife, his son, his sister, and two grandchildren. mr. speaker, let us further honor the life and legacy of mr. walters through the passage of h.r. 6014 which will
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designate the postal facility located at 212 main street in hartman, arkansas, in his honor. i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting h.r. 6014. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio reserves the balance of his time of the the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. mr. speaker, i appreciate the leadership on this item. i appreciate the fact this naming is more fung actual than the last. maybe we are seeing a positive trend here. but i think that the gentleman from ohio explained it quite appropriately and articulated perfectly exactly why we are willing to take this action. i yield back at this time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio yields back the balance of his time. members, the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6014. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no.
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in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended--the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i regretfully object to the vote on the grounds a quorum is not present and i make a point of order a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on the question will be postponed. frotches the gentleman from -- for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. driehaus: i move the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill h.res. 1442. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1442, resolution supporting the goals and ideals of united states military history month. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from ohio, mr. driehaus, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and
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extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise in support of h.res. 1442, a resolution supporting the goaltenders and ideals of the united states military history month. h.res. 1442 was introduce bide our colleague, the gentleman from tennessee, representative john duncan, on june 15, 2010. it was referred to the committee on oversight and government reform which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on september 23, 2010. the measure enjoys the support of over 50 members of the house. mr. speaker, from revel laugsary war to the present conflicts in iraq and afghanistan, the actions and leadership of our armed forces has shaped the history of our nation and helped to preserve our freedoms. one cannot understand our country without understanding our history. and our military has always had a critical role in our history. our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines deserve our appreciation and respect. one of the ways to do this is helping to ensure americans understand the role our
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military has played in the development of our nation and in the history of our world. i therefore ask my colleagues to join me in supporting h.res. 1442 and encourage all americans to take time to learn more about our nation's military history. thank you, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: thank you, mr. speaker. at this time i would like to yield to the gentleman, mr. duncan. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. duncan: thank you, very much, mr. speaker. and i thank the gentleman from california for yielding me this time. i thank the gentleman from ohio for his words in support of this legislation. and also i want to thank the very large number of co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle that we have on this bill. h.r. 1442 would designate the month of november as military history month. while still a general in the continental army, george washington said, when we assume the soldier, we do not setaside the citizen.
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meaning that he believed from the early days of this country's history that citizen soldiers were the most important people in this nation in so many, many ways. since even before there was a united states until today americans have never shied away from a life to make better for ourselves and for others. to better understand and appreciate and celebrate the influence of the military on our nation's narrative, we should designate november as united states military history month. there are two major holidays already setaside to honor the men and women who have served this nation. first known as decoration day what is now known as memorial day commemorates the american soldiers who have died in combat. veterans day began as armistice day to note the ends of world war i. congress changed it to veterans day in 1954 and now november 11 of each year we honor all those who served in the military. without celebrating our
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country's military history, these holidays might very well end up being seen merely as days off of work or just days the government buildings and banks are closed. u.s. military has always played a very important role in our nation's evolution and in protecting the american way of life. establishing through the passionage of this resolution -- passage of this resolution, h.res. 1442, a month each year to highlight our armed forces will hopefully encourage americans to learn, remember, and appreciate the sacrifices of the men and women who served. it is often said that a nation which forgets its own history does so at its peril. this resolution is a fitting and appropriate way to honor our past and especially the extremely important role the u.s. military has played in that history. . i submitted this resolution at the request of one of my constituents, mr. ed hooper, a great military hiser to rainy. and this is -- historian.
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and this is very appropriate, too, because it shows that legislation often does not emanate from washington but really comes from the ground up, from the people that we represent. this is truly the american way to do legislation and i urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, to designate november as military history month in this nation and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: i reserve my time, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the chair will receive a message. the messenger: mr. speaker, a message from the senate. the secretary: mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: ms. secretary. the secretary: i have been directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has passed s. 3751, an act to amend the stem cell and research act of 2005 in which the concurrence of the house is requested.
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the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, as a representative from san diego, a community that knows a little bit about the military, one of the largest military complexes in the world, i'm very honored to support this motion by the gentleman from tennessee and want to thank him from that. not only do i have the privilege of representing a community that is steeped in military history, that goes in fact, all the way back to our founding of spain, but also the fact of being not only raised as a military -- in a military family but born on a military base. so those from san diego know exactly how deep the roots of the military go as free americans and as those who do not question the perception that service, as george washington said, is always the highest honor and the greatest
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contribution. mr. speaker, i just have to say that i'm sorry that some are not here to see congress finally take up this item and i think the gentleman from tennessee should be commended and i think the majority should be thanked for allowing the gentleman from tennessee to bring this bill up for consideration. something i hope to see more of. i wish that my parents were alive today, parents that not only was at pearl harbor on his birthday and at emshawn, but something we don't think about the military, that's on my mother's side, the people around the world, like my father, that in the 1940's in australia was watching the japanese empire threaten to concur her home town of brisbane and the yanks showed up in time to be able to save them from the tyranny of fascism and i think that too often when we talk about things like the service in the military, we
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think only of service to those of us who are americans. but recognizing that the american military is not only not a threat to the rest of the world, it's an essential component of the world peace and the world freedom and the world prosperity that not only americans but the entire world takes for granted and i think that this is quite appropriate that the gentleman from tennessee brings this up. that we not only recognize but we celebrate how unique our american military is. we go -- around the world to set people free. we go around the world to give them a better life. we do not go to con kir and to oppress. zsh concur and to oppress and that is something that the americans have done from the get-go and it's something we should recognize. to put down pirates that were raiding innocent ships or to go and oppose dictates that are have been oppressing their own and killing their own people. i think this bill is quite appropriate and hopefully we will see the kind of celebration
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of the heritage of military service that we have in this country as we have seen on others. and so i again congratulate the gentleman from tennessee, thank the majority for allowing the bill to go forward and i would yield back my time at this time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. driehaus: thank you, mr. speaker. i again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio yields back the balance of his time. member, the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1442. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended and the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider -- the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill, house resolution 1546, as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1546, resolution congratulating the washington stealth for winning the national lacrosse league championship. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, mrs. chu, and the gentleman from california, mrs. bilbray, will each control 2340eu7bs. the chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
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the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i now yield myself as much time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. chu: on behalf of the committee on oversight and government reform, i present house resolution 1546 for consideration. this measure glates the washington stealth for winning the national -- congratulates the washington stealth for winning the national lacrosse leadership. its orins on this continent are centuries old. i am therefore very glood that we can congratulate the washington stealth on their victory in the national lacrosse league championship earlier this year. house resolution 1546 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from washington, representative jay inslee, on july 21, 2010. it was referred to the committee on oversight and government reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous sconet on july 28, 2010.
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it enjoys the support of over 50 members of the house. mr. speaker, let us now take time to congratulate the washington stealth and the entire team organization on a historic championship through the passage of house resolution 1546. i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. thank you and reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, the minority will support this bill and as pointed out by the gentlelady, this is probably, in fact, i will kind -- i kind of challenged my own history background, the only general sport that has its origin from the new world. the lacrosse was actually a training device by american indians to be able to train their young, sadly, for war. but it was a sport now that is obviously -- may look a lot like a violent confrontation but is actually a very, very
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competitive sport, especially out here in the east. i appreciate the fact that we're recognizing the washington stealth. they must live up to their name. a lot of us have not heard of them before. but the majority will accept the motion and will support it, mr. speaker. at that i will yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california yields back the balance of her time. the question is now will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1546 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection -- mr. bilbray: mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. chu: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill, house resolution 1479. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1479, resolution supporting the united states paralympics, honoring the paralympic athletes and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, mrs. chew, and the gentleman from california -- ms. chu, and the gentleman from california, mrs. bilbray, will each be recognized for 20 minutes. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. chu: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. chu: i rise in support of house resolution 1479, a bill
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supporting the united states paralympics. a division of the u.s. olympic committee, the united states paralympics organizes elite athletes with physical disabilities to compete internationally in the summer and winter paralympic games. house resolution 1479 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from new jersey, representative leonard lance, on june 25, 2010. it was referred to the committee on oversight and government reform which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on july 28, 2010. the measure enjoys the support of over 50 co-sponsors. i'd like to thank the gentleman from new jersey for introducing this measure and i would also like to enter into the record an exchange of letters between our committees, the committee on oversight and government reform, and the house committee on foreign affairs which expresses chairman berman's and the foreign affair committee's support of house resolution 1479
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and wave their -- waive their jurisdictional interest in this bill. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. chu: thank you, mr. speaker. the olympic games promotes ideals of good sportsmanship, fair play, physical fitness and peace through sports. the paralympics ensures that athletes with physical disabilities can take part in these games, representing our nation on the world stage. there are over 21 million americans with a physical disability, including thousands of men and women who sustained serious injuries while serving in the military. i'm glad that they have the opportunity to represent our country by taking part in these games. let us now honor these athletes and recognize their achievements through the passage of house resolution 1479. i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california
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reserves her time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, at this time it's my prirve to yield to -- privilege to yield to the gentleman from new jersey as much time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. lance: thank you, mr. speaker, and i thank the gentleman from california and the gentlewoman from california. i am proud to author this resolution today, to honor all of the at leets of the 2010 u.s. paralympic team. including my constituent, josh paul, the youngest member of team u.s.a. josh paul of new jersey is a remarkable young man, a real american hero and i am proud to recognize him before the united states congress and the american people. during the paralympic games and every day of the year paralympic athletes like josh demonstrate great american spirit, courage and achievement. i am proud we are able to work in a bipartisan fashion to bring this important measure to the
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house floor for final consideration. and i am proud of athletes like josh paul. josh was 10 years old when his father first took him to a sled hockey game at the bridgewater, new jersey, arena. soon after, josh began playing localy and showed so much talent that his team manager recommended that he try out for the national team. he took that advice and successfully made the team. now josh is on the ice 11 months out of the year, both locally and traveling as far as the u.s. olympic center in colorado springs, to train with his national team teammates. this is a sacrifice made not only by josh, but by his loving and supportive parents, debby and tony. josh and his teammates brought home one of four gold medals won by team u.s.a. at the 2010 games. one of 13 overall medals won by this inspiring team.
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i urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution honoring not only josh but all of the members of team u.s.a. united states paralympics and the athletes, families, schools and communities that support these athletes year-round and not just during the olympic games. these athletes are the very best at what they do and should serve as an inspiration for all americans for the dedication and tenacity they show in representing the united states of america. thank you, mr. speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker.
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at this time i'd like to thank the majority for allowing the congressman to bring his item onto the floor for a vote. it's a tough thing to do sometimes, especially from the minority and i appreciate the fact that the majority was willing to allow him to do that and with that i will yield back and ask for a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1479. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution -- the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. chu: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill, h.r. 6118, as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 6118, a bill to designate the facility of the united states postal service located at 2 massachusetts avenue, northeast, in washington, dc, as the dorothy i. height post office building. -- washington, d.c., as the dorothy i. height post office being. -- building. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i now yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu, is recognized. ms. chu: mr. speaker, on behalf
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of the house committee on oversight and government reform, i am pleased to present h.r. 6118 for consideration. this measure designates the facility of the united states postal service located 2 massachusetts avenue, northeast, in washington, d.c., as the dorothy i. height post office. i ask unanimous consent that my statement be entered into the record, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: yes, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, is recognized. mr. bilbray: mr. chairman, the minority will support this bill. she worked for one of the greatest, ronald reagan, and one of the most recent, bill clinton. i think in that we should support this and i yield back the balance of my time and ask
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for an aye vote. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 6118. those in favor say aye. those opposed will say no. those in favor say aye -- 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended -- mr. bilbray: i have to point out that i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. chu: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill house resolution 1617.
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the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1617, resolution supporting the goals and purpose of gold star mothers day, which is observed on the last sunday in september of each year in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by mothers who lose a son or daughter serving in the armed forces. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. chu: mr. speaker, now i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i rise in support of house resolution 1617, a measure supporting the goals and ideals of gold star mothers day observed each september in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by
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mothers who lose a son or daughter serving in the armed forces. i ask unanimous consent that my statement be entered into the record, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized, mr. bilbray. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i think as we were talking about many different items today, i think that as a culture and especially as a congress we always talk about the men and women who served and those who pay the ultimate sacrifice. but i think anyone who is a parent, especially those who are mothers, recognize that the only thing worse than running into harm's way is to watch your child run into harm's way. and the greatest loss is not the loss of one's life but the loss of a child's life, and i think this is quite appropriate
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that we finally start focusing on the fact that the great sacrifice made on the battlefield is not by the men and women who are fighting but the mothers who are left behind and must live with whatever results occur on that battlefield, something that they will live with for the rest of their lives. i think it's quite appropriate that we do this today. i am sad we haven't done it before to really recognize that those greatest heroes in america are the mothers who have raised the children that do the fighting, that protect the freedoms and the prosperity and those mothers who pay the ultimate sacrifice should be recognized, not just here but much more often. so i thank the majority for allowing this to be brought forward and hopefully as a nation, as a culture, we will recognize the contribution mothers make in this great effort. the military couldn't be the military if it wasn't for the mothers who were willing to raise the children that we put in harm's way. and they were willing and sadly
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forced many times as the gold star mothers are to live with the repercussions with the great loss that they witness and this nation has ignored for too long. and i ask for passage of this bill and yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: thank you, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california yields back the balance of her time. members, the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.res. 1617. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table -- the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i ask colleagues to vote for this bill. i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the
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gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. chu: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill, house resolution 1603. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1603, resolution expressing support for designation of september, 2010, as national craniofacial acceptance month. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i rise in support of house resolution 1603, expressing support for national craniofacial acceptance month, and i ask unanimous consent that my statement be entered into the record, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california.
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mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, we support the bill, and i will support the lady from california's motion to approve it and i appreciate the fact that we were able to consider the item at this time and i yield back the remainder of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. members, the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1603. those in favor say aye. those opposed say no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended -- the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill
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h.r. 3243. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 3243, a bill to amend section 5542 of the title 5, united states code, to provide that any hours worked by federal firefighters under a qualified trade of time arrangement shall be excluded for purposes of determination relating to overtime pay. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. chu: i rise in support of h.r. 3243, legislation to promote flexibility and work arrangements and scheduling for federal firefighters. h.r. 3243 was introduced by
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representative john sarbanes, the gentleman from maryland, on july 16, 2009. the bill was reported favorably by the oversight and government reform committee on september 23, 2010. i ask unanimous consent that my statement be entered into the record, along with the remarks from the chairman of the federal work force subcommittee, mr. lynch, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. chairman. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, we have a substantive bill here, and i appreciate the leadership bringing it up because on the committee we're working on that. one of the things we haven't done enough on government oversight -- i think the american people may say we haven't done enough as a congress as a whole. we need to look at things that is not wasteful, not only in the taxpayers' money but in their time.
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this bill is a commonsense approach. it changes the accounting process, really makes the system much more user-friendly for those who are serving. as the lady from california pointed out, those of us in california know how important the federal firefighters can be. we just had recently had massive fires break out again and we're sadly looking forward to another season that could be very, very damaging. and these firefighters are not just those that are covering military installations but actually protect homes throughout the country, especially, and those -- in those fire-prone areas such as california. so i would again just say that i think that this is appropriate. it's those little things that add up that the american people have been asking us to do more of. i think this is one of those bipartisan issues. we can go back to our districts and say there is a lot of stuff we haven't done. we really need to do more, but at least we got together and got this item done. and this item could not only save money but maybe make the system work more efficiently. with that i yield back the
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remainder of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: thank you. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. members, the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 3243. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended -- the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, mr. speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. chu: mr. speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and agree to the bill, s. 3196. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 3196, an act to amend the presidential transition act of 1963 to provide that certain transition
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services shall be available to eligible candidates before the jen election. -- general election. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. chu: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california, ms. chu, is recognized. ms. chu: i rise in strong support of senate bill 3196, the pre-election presidential transition act of 2010. this bipartisan legislation makes important improvements to the presidential transition act of 1963 to better equip qualified candidates to prepare and to prepare earlier for the all-too short process of transitioning from running a campaign to running the executive branch of the united states.
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i ask unanimous consent that my statement be entered into the record and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. bilbray: yes, mr. speaker. when we look at this bill, we have to think about what if 9/11 had happened six months before? you know, or nine months before. and what if on inauguration day terrorists decided that's the time that american leadership would be the weakest? how could we really cause havoc not just with an attack but be able to catch america when its political leadership was at its most weakest point. and i think this bill's trying to make sure we avoid that vulnerability. it's still a threat we must learn about, but this helps address pot tension gap that exists today -- potential gap that exists today and make sure
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we tighten up the process, make it more outcome-based and reflect the fact that washington gets it, that the world is changing and we need to change too. we need to improve that just because this is the way washington has done something, it doesn't mean that's wait we should not only do it in the future, but it's not only that we can't do it in the future, we can't afford to do it in the future and if we're going to uphold our responsibility to defend this country, to serve this country, then we not only have a right to change the way we -- our procedure, we have a responsibility to make these changes and i think this bill fulfills that responsibility in a very small man that are could be very important. so with that, mr. speaker, i'd yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. chu: thank you. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. members, the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 3196.
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those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker. so my colleagues can go back to the district at the end of the week and say that we've really done something very important, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. . so we can vote on this act. the speaker pro tempore: purr subte to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. -- pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i move to suspend the rules and agree to the senate bill, s. 3847. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 3847, an act to implement certain defense trade cooperation treaties and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. berman, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the
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resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i rise in strong support of the bill and yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. berman: mr. speaker, the bill before us, the security cooperation act of 2010, has three major components. first, it includes implementing legislation for the defense trade treaties between the united states and two of our closest allies, the united kingdom and australia, respectively. these treaties will support the long-standing special relationship shared by the u.s., the united kingdom and australia by streamlining the processes for transferring certain controlled items among our nations to support combined military and counterterrorism operations, cooperative security and research and other defense probablies. the implementing legislation also provides a clear, statutory basis for enforcement of the treaties, including the prosecution of those who violate their requirements. second, s. 3847 gives israel the same status as our nato allies,
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australia, japan, new zealand and south korea, with regard to the length of the congressional review period for u.s. arm sales. the security relationship between the u.s. and israel is vital and strong and israel deserves the same treatment as these other nations. and finally this bill authorizes the transfer by granting sale of excess naval vessels to india, greece, chile, morocco and taiwan to better assist them with their needs and strengthen our relationship with these nations. mr. speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. bilbray: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield such time as i may consume. mr. speaker, i'd like -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized, about bilbray. mr. bilbray: thank you -- mr. bilbray. mr. bilbray: thank you. mr. speaker, i appreciate the chairman's action on this item. i want to point out that the british -- we might have had a couple of run-ins with the british every once in a while
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the last few centuries but the only country, the only country that fought in every war in the last century and this century alongside the united states was those men and women from australia and i'm very proud to be able to serve here in congress and be able to support this bill in its form and i think that we have to remember that too often we take our allies for granted. our truly close friends who are close to us in many ways. and some of us, it's closer than others. i hope that somewhere i can be able to stick this to my cousins in as you al-- australia and point out that i was here in favor to speak out in favor of this bill. at this time, mr. speaker, i would like to yield the time and control of the rest of our time to the gentleman, mr. smith. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. smith: mr. chairman, i yield myself such time as i may
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consume. i yield myself such time as i may consume. mr. chairman, this legislation is comprised of three components. first, it authorizes the transfer of certain naval vessels to u.s. friends and allies abroad, including india, greece and taiwan. it also includes language previously adopted by the house that strengthens the u.s. commitment to security in the jewish state of israel by expediting the process of approving foreign sales to that country and by extending the dates and amounts of u.s. excess equipment that can be transferred to israel from regional stockpiles. thirdly, it provides a statutory basis for the president to implement defense trade cooperation treaties signed between the governments of the united states and the governments of the u.k. and australia respectively. these treaties represent a fundamental shift in the way the united states conducts defense trade with its closest allies. rather than reviewing licenses, the treaties will establish a structure in which trade in
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defense articles, technology and services can take place more freely between approved communities in the united states, the united kingdom and as you traily where such trade is in support of combined military and counterterrorism operations, joint research and development productions, support programs and mutually agreed upon projects where the end uth user is the u.k. or the australian government. or u.s. government end users. mr. chairman, i do ask unanimous consent to revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. mr. smith: i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california, mr. berman. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from new jersey yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. berman: yields back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields
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back the balance of his time. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate 3847. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? mr. berman: yes, mr. speaker, i move to suspend the rules and agree to the russ lease -- resolution h.res. 1326 as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1326, resolution calling on the government of japan to immediately address the dwrowing problem of abduction to and retention of united states citizen minor children in japan, to work closely with the government of the united states to return these children to their parent or to the original jurisdiction for a custody determination in the united states, to provide left-behind
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parents immediate ac sose -- access to their children and to adopt the 1980 hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. berman, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. smith, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks, include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california ask recognized. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i'm in strong support of this resolution. it is a bipartisan resolution. and if i might just take a second to mention that the two real leaders in the movement of this resolution and in pushing the underlying issue, a very important one, mr. moran of virginia and mr. smith of new jersey, are on the floor, both,
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i believe, to speak on this resolution. what it does is it addresses the abduction of american citizen children to japan. as you might imagine, a very, very important issue for the families involved, for the governments of both the united states and japan. japan's a vital partner and a friend of the united states. but on the issue of international parental child abduction, our two countries' viewpoints are substantially different and progress has been painfully slow. once american children are abducted to japan, the left-behind parents have little or no access to them, even though their children are u.s. an jandnoop -- japanese citizens. currently there are 136 u.s. citizen children abducted to and held in japan. japan's the only g-7 country that's not a signatory to the hague convention that governs international parental child abduction. we urge the japanese government
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to ratify the convention as quickly as possible. the japanese government also needs to resolve existing cases of american children who are being held in japan against the wishes of their parent in the united states and in many cases in direct violation of a valid u.s. court order. steps need to be taken immediately to help facilitate dialogue, visitation and greater access for the left-behind parents. our children are the most important and cherished resource and it is a tragedy for everyone involved when they are taken away, denied access to one of their parents. these children have a right to enjoy the love of both parents and the benefits of both their japanese and american cultures. mr. speaker, i urge my colleagues to support this resolution and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from new jersey. mr. smith: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume.
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the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. smith: first of all, let me thank chairman berman and ilyassa ros-lehtinen for their leadership in helping to shepherd this legislation to the floor today and i want to thank mr. moran for his sponsorship and i'm very proud to join minimums -- him as the original co-sponsor of this very important and very timely resolution. you know, mr. speaker, last year we learned and really the country learned a great deal about this growing problem of international child abduction with the case of david goldman whose son was abducted five years at the time to brazil and thankfully after a full court press he was not only reunited but he is now safe, father and son, in new jersey. but what we learned, the lessons learned from that was that far too little has been done to help the other 2,800 american children who have been abducted to foreign countries, usually in defines of court odd orders that said, you cannot -- orders --
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court orders that said, you cannot leave. this resolution that we're considering today is an urgent appeal to the government of japan to end its compolicity or indifference to international child abduction. frankly, mr. speaker, american patience has finally run out. at present, at least 136 american children are being held in japan against the wishes of their american parent and in many cases in violation of valid u.s. court orders. according to the department of defense, in 2009 alone, we just got this by way of a report, 10 more american children were abducted to japan from members of the u.s. armed forces. that's in 2009 alone. it's simply unacceptable and unconscionable that today japan still has no mechanism to issue and enforce a return of visitation order for be a dubblingted children -- abducted
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children. it goes unpunished in a civilized nation. with an american parent who has taken every legal precaution to ensure their child is not abducted to japan realizes that his or her child has disappeared, their heart breaks and a lifetime of waiting and pleading for action by both the u.s. and the japanese government begins. patrick brayden was one such father. mr. brayden took every possible legal precaution to protect his daughter from abduction and to maintain his presence in her life as her father. however, in 2006, melissa was abducted from her home by her mother in violation of the los angeles superior court orders giving both parties access to the child and prohibiting international travel with the
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child by either parent. mr. brayden, who has been unjustly cut off from his daughter by the covert illegal actions of the mom and daily worries that his daughter's being abused by a grandparent who has a history of such abuse. likewise, michael -- sergeant michael elias helps and pleas with two governments, the american government and the japanese government to work out some way of reuniting his family. while stationed in japan, he met the woman who would become his wife. she came to the united states and they were married in new jersey in 2005. jade was born in 2006 and michael in 2007. sadly, his wife started an affair while michael was on active duty in iraq. their marriage came to an end in 2008 with a judge granting both parents custody and requiring the surrender of the children, american and japanese passports, because their mother had threatened to abduct the
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children. tragically, the japanese consulate reissued japanese passports for the children in violation of the valid u.s. court orders restricting travel and in violation of u.s. federal criminal parental kidnapping statutes. the sergeant has not seen his children since 2008, and the japanese government has done nothing to assist in their return or in the return of patrick brayden's daughter. and the list goes on. chris savoy was abducted in 2009 by their mother in violation of a tennessee court order of joint custody and in violation of tennessee statutes. as a result of the mother's selfish actions, mr. savoy had been awarded sole custody of the children but japan will not recognize either the joint custody or the sole custody award. although chris is the children's father, the japanese government will not enforce any
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access or communication with his children. mr. speaker, for 50 years we have seen all talk and no action on the part of the japanese government. japan has never issued or enforced a legal decision to return a single american child. the circumstances of each particular abduction seem not to matter. once in japan, the abducting parent is untouchable, and the children are berest of their american parent for their entire childhood. canada, the united kingdom, have all asked japan on returning their abducted children. children japan's inaction on the issue is a thorn in the side of their relations with the entire international community. japan's current inaction violates their duties under the international covet on civil and political rights, article 23, to completely and unjustly
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ignore the equal rights of one parent. h.res. 1326 calls on japan to immediately and urgently establish a process for the resolution of abduction an wrongful retention of american children. japan must find the will to establish today a process that will justify and equitablely end the cruel separation currently endured by parent and children alike. h.res. 1326 also calls on japan to join the hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. this convention sets out the international norms for resolution of abduction and wrongful retention cases and will create a framework to quickly resolve future cases and act as a deterrent to parents who now feel that they can abduct their child to japan and never be caught. in light of the misuse of japanese consulates at elias
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case, h. res. 1326 also calls on japan to ensure that its cosslates are not accessories to parental kidnapping. japan must put into place a system that stops the issuing or reissuing of passports without the explicit and verifiable consent of the american parent. finally, japan must recognize the terrible damage to children and families caused by international child abduction. children who have suffered an abduction are at risk of serious risk of emotional and psychological problems and experience eating problems, nightmares, sleep disturbances, aggressive behavior, resentment, guilt and fearfulness and adults may struggle with identity issues, their own personal relationships as well as parenting. i ask my colleagues to support h.res. 1326, calling on japan to end the child abuse of international child abduction. i reserve the balance of my
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time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee rise? >> mr. speaker, i'm pleased at this time to yield to the gentleman from virginia, mr. moran. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman from tennessee -- mr. moran: yes, the distinguished gentleman from tennessee yielded me the time. i thank my friend from tennessee. i thank my colleague from new jersey, mr. smith, and, of course, chairman berman. mr. speaker, the united states and japan have a strong and critical alliance. it is based on shared interest and values. and our common support for political and economic freedoms, human rights and international law. japan, for example, is second to none in supporting president
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barack obama's vision of a world without nuclear weapons and advocating for nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. japan has also recently doubled its civilian aid to afghanistan helping in our mission there to a great and important extent. but, mr. speaker, this resolution involves 214 cases involving more than 300 american children who have been abducted to japan and are wrongfully retained in japan since 1994. these american children are in japan because they were kidnaped by a parent with japanese citizenship. despite a shared concern within the international community, the japanese government has yet to exceed to the 1980 hague convention on the civil aspects of international child
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abduction or create any other mechanism to resolve international child abductions. japan's existing family law system, which dates back to 1600's, neither recognizes joint custody nor actively enforces parental access agreements that have been adjudicated by united states courts. essentially, american parents must beg to see their abducted children and have no legal recourse if the taken parent decides to deny them access. that's wrong. no case has the japanese government facilitated the return to a parent outside their country. so the intent of this resolution is to bring the plight of these parents to the forefront of the public consciousness. it calls on the japanese government to ratify the 1980 hague convention on the civil aspects of international child
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abduction so japan will commit to a process that will return abducted children to their custodial parent to the united states or elsewhere where appropriate or otherwise immediately at least allow access to their non-japanese parent. the japanese government doesn't consider it a crime and will not prosecute a japanese citizen that abducts a child and moves the child across national borders which essentially makes japan complicit on what many consider a crime, including the united states government, which considers it kidnaping. japan does, however, prosecute cases of foreign nationals removing japanese children from japan which violates any basic sense of fairness. so they apply a different law if somebody abducts a child from japan than they apply if somebody abduct a child from the united states or another
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foreign country and brings them to japan where they have haven from the law. and it is infuriating to learn, frankly, that japanese officials have issued travel documents and passports to these abductors in defiance of previously established u.s. custody orders. and in some cases, they have given false names to the children being kidnaped to japan, issuing false passports so that they are directly complicit in these abductions. now, there are numerous heartbreaking abduction stories, and i'm just going to mention a few because mr. smith went into several. one case, though, in particular that i want to underscore involves a case from my district in virginia right across the river from the nation's capital. it involves a japanese mother who for fear of what might happen to her child has to
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request that her name not be used. her husband, who is not japanese, fled to japan because he's a lawyer and he knew he would find safe haven from virginia court orders in violation of u.s. law. so here he kidnaped a child from a japanese mother knowing that he could take them to japan and he would find haven there from any prosecution under u.s. laws and not even allow -- have to allow access to the child by the mother. despite -- now, it gets even worse. despite having no contact with her children, this woman has to continue to pay child support, and the address on the payment statement is the only connection she has with her
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children. that is wrong. now, mr. smith mentioned the brayden case. melissa brayden was secretly abducted from her home in 2006 by her mother, brought to japan in violation of previous los angeles superior court orders giving both parents access to the child and prohibiting international travel with the child by either parent. and yet he was able to -- she was able to take the -- the mother was able to take the child from the father in violation of court orders and is protected by the japanese government. there's a case of erica toen abducted in 2003 from the u.s. navy housing in yokohama to tokyo, japan, by her now deceased mother. the mother is deceased but she is being held by her japanese maternal grandmother and denied access by her father. so her father is living, wants
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to be with his child. the mother is deceased and he can't even see the child because of the protection provided by the japanese government. there's a case of isaac and rebecca savoy. this was mentioned by mr. smith. they were abducted just last year by their mother in violation of a tennessee state court order. shouldn't be messing with tennessee state courts. but in violation of a tennessee state court order of joint custody and tennessee statutes they were taken to japan, both children have been denied any communication and access by their father. so the mother is holding them in japan. the father cannot have a access to either child even though the court has ordered it. and lastly, one other case. again, this is typical of so many other cases. more than 100. the eliases. one child 4, the or child 2. they were abducted in december
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of 2008. -- the other child 2. they were ack ducted in december of 2008 a year and a half ago in new jersey. prohibiting the removal of the children from the state of new jersey, and yet they were taken out of the country. the children's father tries desperately to have contact with his children, but he is forbidden to have that contact. this far needs to be mentioned specifically. here is an iraqi war veteran, he was shot twice in the service of our country, he was dragged from a vehicle that had been destroyed by a mine and he returns home only to find an empty home, his children abducted, and he has -- right now, without this resolution,
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achieving its objective, he will have very little hope that he will ever see or hear from his children again. so as tragic as these cases are, more are developing as we speak. according to this year's statistics provided by the u.s. embassy in japan, the number of cases of parental child abduction to japan has doubled in the past two years. and has more than quadrupled in the past four years. the problem of abduction isn't going away, it's only getting worse. and these children who have been abducted to japan are have not only lost the precious connection with their parent, but they have been deprivinged of their full heritage, their family and culture. american parents are calling on the u.s. government to urgently intervene, quickly find a diplomatic solution. they have no other voice in this process. that's what we're asking for. these parents are not going to give up. i want to thank chairman berman and particularly two of the
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staff, j.j. and jess carks for their tireless efforts -- jessica, for their tireless effort, mr. smith and his staff and my own staff, tim, my legislative director and shai. they have worked diligently with these parents. i thank them for their efforts. i particularly thank the parents who have committed themselves, devoted themselves to reuniting with their child and who would not do that? that's why this resolution is so important. i trust that it will be passed unanimously and with that i will yield back to the chairman. thank you, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from tennessee reserves. >> i have no further requests at this time. at this time i'll reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, i yield myself two minutes -- smith mr. speaker, i yield myself two -- mr. smith: mr. speaker, i yield
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myself two commins to conclude. several people, including patrick braiden, walked into my office and said that they had been totally frustrated by not just the japanese government, but to some extent by our own. we need the tools that -- at the state department, at office of children's issues, to promote the interests of american parents and american abducted children. i've introduced legislation and my good friend, jim moran, is one of the co-sponsors, that would comprehensively give the administration real tools to take this, make this a government-to-government fight, rather than a david vs. goliath fight where it is one individual fighting a court system and a government in a far, far away land. paul walked into my office as well, jim moran's constituent, and he's walked into his as well and we've both been trying to help him. here's a man who served honorably, a commander in the united states navy and for close to seven years he has not seen his daughter.
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as my good friend and colleague pointed out, the grandmother has custody and just like david goldman, his wife had passed away, the man whose son was abducted to brazil, and somebody else had custody of his child. paul is similar. patrick braiden invited me down to the japanese embassy and i have to tell you, as a father of four, i was moved to tears when a group of left-behind parents and people concerned about left-behind parents and be a dubbletted children gathered in front of the chinese emabout a -- abducted children gathered in front of the chinese embassy. and what did patrick do me? requested that his child, that he at least get to see his child, it was her birthday that day. there was a birthday cake to melissa, who is halfway around the world, we all sang happy birthday, blew out the candles, and he was missing her again for another year. that goes on and on. this has to be resosked, mr. speaker -- resolved, mr. speaker. our president, our secretary of
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state, we need the congress to get behind these left-behind parents, to get behind bringing back our abducted children. if there's a custody issue, resolve it in the courts of what by theuals remain dents -- residence. not in land like japan where abduction is treated with kid gloves and actually embraced. sometimes i wonder if it's indifference that the japanese government deals with this. they are a safe harbor for child abducters and that brings dishonor to the government in my opinion. >> will the gentleman yield? mr. smith: i yield to my friend. >> i appreciate you mentioning mr. tunnel. he has worked with our office day in and day out. he will not give up on his child. but he has made it clear, we now are his only hope and that of the more than 100 parents who are desperate to see their children, have been denied it.
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mr. moran: thank you for particularly mentioning him. mr. smith: thank you. i do yield myself the remainder of my time just to kfpblgt i hope -- and i want to thank my friend for his leadership on this, this is a bipartisan issue. this is a human right issues of american parents and of american children. we rightfully speak out on human rights abuses in china in darfur and all over the world, wherever and whenever they occur. this is a human rights abuse that's occurring against our own families and our government that goes through successive administrations, republican and democrat. do not do enough. you know, i don't know how many of you have seen that "seinfeld" episode with the pensy file that gets moved around from left to right and george doesn't do anything of substance with it. we have very good people at the state department who have these files in hand that would love to do more but they lack the toolless.
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they lack the ability authorized by this congress and by law to take it to the next level. this is a government on this-government fight. had it not been for the congress rallying around david goldman, sean goldman would still be in brazil today. because there would have been another appeal in the courts and another appeal. they run out the clock and then the child is an adult. that's what's happening to all of the 2,800 american abducted children. the be a dubblingters are playing a game, a very dangerous game and in japan, nobody comes back. our government has to get serious. this resolution puts all of us on record and says, we mean business. this is only the first step. i yield back the baffle our time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time -- balance of our time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from tennessee. mr. moran: we yield back the balance of my time. the question is, will the house
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suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1326 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair -- >> mr. speaker, on that i request a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: does the gentleman request the yeas and nays? mr. moran: i do. i request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? >> i move to suspend the rules and agree to h.res. 1631. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution
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1631, resolution calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts from and in turkish-occupied areas of northern cyprus as well as for general respect for religious freedom. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. tanner, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. smith, each will control 20 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from tennessee, mr. tanner. mr. tanner: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. tanner: mr. speaker, i rise in support of this legislation, one of the most tragic aspects of turkey's 1974 invasion of cyprus and subsequent occupation of the northern part of that country has been the desecration and destruction of religious property, primarily greek orthodox, and other manifestations of contempt for
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freedom of worship. and at this time, mr. speaker, i would ask unanimous consent to insert the remainder of my comments into the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. tanner: i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from tennessee reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from new jersey. mr. smith: mr. speaker, i yield such time as he may consume to the author of the resolution, mr. bilirakis from florida, a member of the committee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. bilirakis: thank you, mr. speaker. thank you, mr. smith. i rise today in support of house resolution 1631, a resolution calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts from and in turkish-occupied areas of northern cyprus as well as for general respect for religious freedom. first i'd like to recognize my colleagues for this incredible bipartisan support. thank you so much to ranking member ileana ros-lehtinen and chairman berman, not only for their co-sponsorship but also for assisting and fast-tracking this measure to the house floor.
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also thanks to my hellenic caucus cho to are co-chair and all of my colleagues who have co-sponsored, as well as the u.s. house's strongest champion of human right, countries smith. this display of bipartisan illustrates that congress can work together in a collegial spirit when it comes to protecting religious freedom throughout the world. as co-sponsor -- co-chair of the hellenic caucus and a member of the international hgs freedom caucus, i've introduced this measure to highlight the continued violations that are taking place on a divided island nation of cyprus. even as cyprus celebrates the 50th anverse riff its independence, we are -- anniversary of its independence, we are reminded that 1/3 of cyprus continues to be under turkish military occupation since 1974. this resolution demands that turkey be held responsible for the continued violations of
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humanitarian law with respect to the destruction of religious and cault cultural property in cyprus -- and cultural property in cyprus. the turkish military which constitutes illegally occupying northern cyprus has overseen the systemic destruction of religious sites and the illegal -- illegal looting of a large number of religious and archeological objects. when northern cyprus was invaded, churches were left open to looters and vandles. the turkish forces, throw required to secure the religious sites by several conventions to which it is a signatory, failed to do so. around 500 churches, monday stares, cemeteries and other religious sites belonging to greek sipry ats, armenians have been desecrated, pillages, looted, destroyed and, including one jewish cemetery.
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80 christian churches have been converted into mosques. 28 being used by turkish army as stores and barracks and many others are used for other nonreligious purposes such as coffee shops, hotels, public baths, night clubs, stables, theaters and barns. since 2004, at least 15 churches have been leveled such as st. kathryn's church in the district which was bulldozed in mid-2008. additionally, the church of the holy virgin was used as a dancing studio until the turkish occupiers built a road that destroyed part of it in march, 2010, and the church of templars was converted into a night club. these are a few examples of the destruction that has been overseen by the turkish military, if not directly perpetrated by it.
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mr. speaker, this resolution urges the government of turkey to immediately implement the united nations security council resolution's relevant to cyprus as well as the judgments of the european court of human rights by retrieving and restoring all lost artifacts and immediately halting destruction of religious sites, stopping illegal archeological excavations and ceasing to traffic in icons. further, proper preservation and reconstruction of destroyed or altered religious sites must immediately take place and all restrictions on freedom of religion for cyprus must end. mr. speaker, i hope the beginning of the next 50 years of cyprus' statehood is marked by the immediate removal of the turkish occupation troops, followed by immediate reunification of the island
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nation and its respect -- in which respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all cyprus people is a reality. i urge swift passage of this resolution. thank you, mr. speaker -- thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields? the gentleman reserves his time. the chair recognizes -- mr. tanner: i'm pleased to yield to the gentlelady from new york, mrs. maloney. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for three minutes. mrs. maloney: i thank the gentleman for yielding and his leadership on this and so many other important issues. madam speaker, i rise in strong support of h.r. 1631, a resolution calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts in turkish-occupied areas of northern cyprus. i joined my he had lenic caucus co-chair -- he had lanic caucus co--- helenic caucus co-chair,
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mr. bill rack is, and i want to -- mr. bilirakis, and i want to thank chairman berman for bringing this bill to the floor today. i want to bring you the story of queens, one of the largest greek and cypriots communities in america. we celebrated the -- since the 1974 invasion, many priceless symbols of cyprus' religious and cultural hair damages has been destroyed, looted or vandalized and even stolen or illegally shipped for sail abroad. very disturbing is the way the chutches have been raised, converted into barns, into barracks, into beer halls and total disrespect to their religious importance. to date, turkey has repeatedly
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ignored all u.n. resolutions pertaining to cyprus and has continued to occupy the island in complete violation of international law. as cyprus prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, we in congress have a responsibility to make our voices heard on our ultimate goal of a reunified and prosperous cyprus where greek cypriots and turkish cypriots can live in peace and security. this resolution would demonstrate the united states' commitment to protecting the rights and freedom of cypriot freedom and religious freedom for people everywhere. in the interest of time, i would like to place in the record this report from the library of congress pertaining
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to the destruction of cultural property and religious sites in cyprus. without objection, i had a he like to place it in the -- i'd like to place it in the record. i'd like to have all my colleagues to vote in favor of this important resolution. i'd like to yield back to my important colleague. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman from new jersey. mr. smith: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. smith: i rise in strong support of h.res. 1631, calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts from and in touchish occupied areas of northern cyprus -- turkish occupied areas of northern cyprus and to respect the religious freedom of all people living in the territory that it occupies. i thank my very good friend, mr. bilirakis, for introducing this very outstanding resolution, and for his f.t.a.fulness and effectiveness in ex-- faithfulness and effectiveness in exposing violations in cyprus. this reminds of the turkish
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military occupation of the northern part of the republic of cyprus, a sovereign state. the turkish government frequently prevents greeks cypriots from holding divine lit are a gee and has pillaged its divine sites. the turkish government currently uses no less than 28 orthodox chutches as army -- churches as army barracks and converted other churches into mosques and converted them into barns, dance schools. under turkish occupation, monasteries, cemeteries and other religious sites have been desecrated, destrid or looted. destroyed or looted. this resolution provides in painstaking detail the trade and secret objects looted from these churches which is extensive, international and totally illicit. it also points out the legal
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obligation of the turkish government to prevents this trade, to restore looted objects as well as churches and to respect the human rights of those who live under its occupation. madam speaker, i am profoundly disappointed that over the years, including since the passage of the international religious freedom act, that our government has far too often failed to speak out and to speak out vigorously in defense of the religious freedoms of orthodox christians. this is really shameful. the turkish government's percent cukes of orthodoxy, whether in vy plus or is stan -- cyprus or is stan bull or the armenian orthodoxy, seems to extinguish christian orthodoxy within its borders. as the secretary general's report on the u.s. operation in cyprus dated as far back as
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1996, the restrictions on basic freedoms of christians in turkish-occupied areas of cyprus have the effect of, quote, ensuring that with the passage of time the communities , that is great cypriots and maron ithes will not ex-- maronites will not exist. i am glad this resolution will report and take vigorous action on the traffic of cypriot orthodox heritage. the zeck of it branch -- executive branch hopely will take this seriously. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. tanner: madam speaker, we have no requests so we yield back the balance of our time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the question is will the house
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suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1631. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognize snigs? -- recognition? mr. tanner: madam speaker, i ask that the house suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, house resolution 1588, as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1588, resolution expressing the sense of the house of representatives on the importance of the full implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement to help ensure peace and stability in sudan during and after mandated research da. -- referenda. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. tanner, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. smith, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. tanner: madam speaker, i
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ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. tanner: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. i want to thank mr. capuano and members of the house sudan caucus for introducing this resolution to remind us of the important work that needs to be done to implement the final stages of the comprehensive peace agreement between national congress party and the southern sued niece liberation movement in -- sudanese liberation movement in sudan. and in that regard, madam speaker, i'd ask unanimous consent to submit the remainder of my statement to the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. tanner: we will reserve the balance of our time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. smith: thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, i'm pleased to rise in support of h.res. 1588 which i am an original co-sponsor. madam speaker, we are all too familiar with the famous quote by the american philosopher
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george santana who said those who can't remember the past are condemned to repeat it. the truth is realized in the case of war and genocide. general romeo tried unsuccessfully in 1994 to warn the united nations that huge massacres were eminent in that country. even he miscalculated the threat. 800,000 people died in rwanda. former ambassador to ewing sloffia, who served as deputy secretary of state and then secretary of state, never suspected that the hostilities in the represent lick of bosnia and herzegovina would escalate to the slaughter of more than 800,000 people in 1995. sadly, we have too many indications about what could happen if the two referendas scheduled to take place in
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sudan in january to not take place fairly and peacefully. the 20-year war between the north and south sudan that ended in 1995 took the lives of over two million people and displaced further four million. peace in darfur is inextricably linked to peace throughout the rest of sudan and the genocide there in 2003 unleashed the slaughter of 200,000 men, women and children. many are displaced and are in camps. like many of my colleagues, i visited to sudan. i had a face-to-face meeting with general bashir, the dictator in khartoum pushing for peace, pushing for an end of this slaughter. unfortunately, he was upset that the sanctions against his government needed to be lifted. the fact that the sanctions were based on the senseless killing and displacement
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sponsored by his government was dismissed by him as no consequence. the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement between the government of sudan and the sudan people's liberation movement in 2005 marked a potential turning point for the sudanese people. it calls for elections leading to referenda in january of 2011 to determine whether the south will remain united to the north or succeed as an independent state. the region of obaa is to hold a referenda to determine whether it will remain in the north or stay with the south should they choose that course. specific conditions were to be met in anticipation of these major events to ensure that it will be conducted creditably and peacefully. madam speaker, in the interim five years, there is signs of hope that they could settle into lasting peace. the united states has devoted substantial resources. nearly $9 billion in
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humanitarian, development and peacekeeping assistance since 1994 to support the c.p.a.'s implementation. but numerous incidents have also exposed the extreme lack of trustworthiness of the khartoum government and the urgent need for the government of southern sudan to increase its capacity and accountability. the subcommittee on africa and global health, which i serve as ranking member, and the tom lantos human rights commission, have held hearings over the last 14 months. the testimonies we heard at those hearings sounded major alarm about the ominous storm clouds gathering over sudan. in fact, the issues raised at the two hearings in july of 2009 and the proposed solutions to those issues were so compelling that i and several other members forwarded the expert testimony to the secretary of state hillary clinton and scott grayson, our special enjoy, asking them to
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take this incredibly compelling information into account as the administration engaged in peace efforts in sudan. unfortunately, the administration took little or no account of that advice. furthermore, it seemed to ignore its own strategy that was publicized in october of year. key members of the national security council deputies committee, which was supposed to meet quarterly, met only once in january with no noticeable outcome. the administration claimed it was taking the advice of numerous experts to establish specific benchmarks by the respected parties, according to a set time frame. the benchmarks created to ensure the timely implementation of the c.p.a. would be tied to incentive and disincentive to motivate their achievements. there's no evidence that these benchmarks were ever created much less enforced with discernable consequences. madam speaker, the president and the state department have taken some action during the
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past few weeks. apparently recognizing that the time remaining until the north-south referenda is extremely short. one must hope that thed aage better late than -- that the adage better late than never will be applied in this case. the challenge will addressed in the next few weeks, particularly the demarcation of the north-south border and the postreferenda sharing can be met if the united states plays a leadership role in gathering the influence and cooperation of the african union and other international players. herculean measures must be undertaken to ensure that the january 9 referenda is conducted in a manner and ensures the credibility of the outcome as well as the peaceful acceptance of that outcome by the parties. with h.res. 1588, i join with my colleagues in passing on the administration to express the urgent need on the sudanese people on their long, sought after quest for peace.
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the cost of another catastrophic war would be greater. no one, particularly the sudanese people, can afford to pay that place. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. tanner: thank you, madam speaker. i'm pleased to yield three minutes to the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. capuano. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. capuano:, thank you. madam speaker, i'm here to support this resolution. very clearly, this resolution is simply intended to encourage the government of the united states and other governments around the world to continue pressing to make sure that the resolution that's on the ballot january 9 of next year for the people of south sudan to decide for themselves whether they want to make their own country or be part of the government of sudan. that's all that we want. i want to be clear. biffers elected to congress, i might have known where sudan was. not sure.
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i would not have known where darfur was, i would not have known that there was a problem in south sudan. this is not a problem that i've been studying for a while. it is a problem that started to come to my attention after 9/11 when i realized, like many americans, who traced back who is this bin laden guy, he spent years in sudan, training, recruiting, preparing for attacks like 9/11. that was just the beginning of it. he decided he wanted freedom. they had a revolution of their own. hundreds of thousands of people were killed, millions were displaced. that same government in khartoum also soon therefore started a genocide in their own people in darfur. all we're asking in a very difficult situation, with multifacets that are beyond comprehension, to simply have the united states government continue what they're doing. the president of the united states went to new york city last week to meet on sudan at the u.n.
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the united states has a special envoy there, we're paying special attention. and by the way, it's not just because i have a bleeding heart for people who have been massacred, it's not just that people should have their own right of self-determination, it's also because this particular country, this particular section of the country is in a critically important region in africa. i think most everybody in this country has now heard of the pilots of somalia -- pirates of so malia. that's right next door. ethiopia, right next door. all around them is instability, danger and potential violence that could draw in the entire region. that's what this peace agreement's all about. that's why i'm here. for january 9 of next year. tone courage the world to pay eanings it to this, for their own sake, if not for the sake of the people in sudan and south sudan. with that, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. smith: we have no further requests for time and yield back the balance of my time.
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the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. mr. tanner: we have no further requests and we neeled back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. does the gentleman from massachusetts yield? the gentleman from new jersey yield? mr. smith: i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1588 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. tanner: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and agree to resolution, house resolution 1661. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1661, resolution honoring the lives of the brave and selfless humanitarian aid workers, doctors and nurses who died in the tragic attacks of august 5, 2010, in northern afghanistan. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr.
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tanner, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. smith, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. tanner: thank you, madam speaker. and i would ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. tanner: madam speaker, on august 5, 2010, 10 unarmed humanitarian aid workers affiliated with the international assistance mission, a nongovernmental organization operating a mobile health clinic for afghans with little access to medical care, were brutally killed in afghanistan. there were six americans among the murdered aid workers. these brave and selfless individuals, cheryl, brian, thomas, glen, tom and dan, dedicated their lives to serving the people of afghanistan and with those brief comments, madam
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speaker, i would ask unanimous consent to include the rest of my statement in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. smith: mr. speaker, i yield sufficient time to the author of the resolution, mr. pitts. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. pitts: thank you, mr. smith. i want to first of all thank the chairman of the committee, mr. berman, and the ranking member, ros-lehtinen, for moving this resolution so promptly. it's a privilege for me to sponsor this resolution. these six americans had their lives brutally taken from them as they served the people of afghanistan and they deserve our deepest respect. from my district in lancaster, pennsylvania, glen came to afghanistan in 2008, leaving his life in pennsylvania behind in order to serve as the manager of a much-needed provincial eye care program in afghanistan. glen wrote that his hope was to treat the afghan people with respect and with love as he served them throughout their country.
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the others who were killed were just as dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to the afghanistans -- afghans in remote areas. aid workers have played a vital role in serving the afghan public over the last three decades. due to the country's instability. while many aid workers in the past were give safe passage in conflict areas, sadly in recent months, attacks against them have escalated. the perpetrators are breaking longstanding customs and have resorted to targeting the very people who have trying to supply the people of afghan -- afghanistan with the resources necessary to meet their most basic needs. it's obvious that those who killed these aid workers oppose economic and social progress in afghanistan, including access to medical care, education and shelter. these perpetrators must be brought to justice. these terrorists who killed these six americans and four others are no different from the terrorists who throw acid in girls' face when is they try to go to school.
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they're the same terrorists who use children as human shields against american troops. do we understand that these senls killings are another terrible reminder of the brutality of the taliban and al qaeda foreign fighters? do we understand that these murders must be brought to justice, no matter where they originated? either in afghanistan or in pakistan? the people of afghanistan suffer every day from the cruelty of the taliban. along with the families who lost loved ones, the afghans suffer from the loss of these dedicated and courageous aid workers. and as a result of this brutal attack, critical medical care will no longer be available to many of the afghans who were served by these humanitarian workers. we in the united states need tonds that and we need to call for justice. the afghan authorities must conduct an investigation and find these murderers no matter where they might be hiding or receiving sanctuary. from various reports, there are strong indications that the
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attackers were not local and some were speaking non-afghan langsless. given the location of the attack -- languages. given the location of the attacks and given the cross-border nature of the afghan insurgency, i strongly urge the government of pakistan to do its utmost to cooperate in rooting out extremism on its soil, especially the save havens that exist that have been the source of many acts of violence in both afghanistan and pakistan. the save havenens -- the safe havens must be eradicated and this attack has been called by some the worst attack on humanitarian aid workers in three decades of conflict in afghanistan. justice must be served so that it never happens again. to then, i hope the u.s. government is seeking to enhance and dedicate greater resources to establishing law and order and strengthening afghan
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institutions to better protect the afghan people and their partners. in closing, today we honor the brave and selfless humanitarian aid workers, doctors, nurses, who died on august 5. their efforts to bring healing and care to the afghans were noble and good. my thoughts and prayers are with the families of these heroes and quiet leaders and their families as well as with the afghan people who have suffered so many decades of conflict and loss. thank you and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. tanner: we reserve the balance, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. mr. smith: madam speaker, i just yield myself two minutes. first i want to thank mr. pitts for authoring this resolution, to remember the aid workers who died in afghanistan. these aid workers were killed because of their humanitarian efforts, because they were trying to provide the afghan people with an important serviceso, they could live in freedom, opportunity and
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prosperity. for undertake these noble efforts, the aid workers lost their lives at the hands of murder rift extremists who seek an afghanistan in the dark argese an afghanistan where people are debilitated by poverty and illiteracy, where democratic elections are unthinkable, where women and girls are murder simply for frying -- for trying to go to school wrrks freedom is a for biden idea. such an afghanistan would be a safe haven for extremist groups who seek to destroy our nation and allies and plunge similar za -- civilization itself into darkness. we continue to strive such a threatening scenario from becoming a dangerous reality. in that respect we owe a great deal of gratitude to the many americans who have done their part in sacrificing very much, particularly our men and women in uniform, to build a safe, secure and free afghanistan. and we owe gratitude to the courageous humanitarian aid workers who risk their lives as
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well to save lives and to alleviate the suffering of the afghan people. in particular we owe our thanks to american aid workers who gave their lives almost two months ago, cheryl beckett, brian cardiela, glen lap of congressman pitts' constituent and friend, tom little and dan tery. we mourn their loss and we send our condolences to their families. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. tanner: madam speaker, we have no further requests. we yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass house resolution 1661. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. tanner: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, house res. 1662.
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the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1662, resolution expressing support for the 33 trapped chilean miners following the mining disaster and the government of chile as it works to rescue the miners and reunite them with their families. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. tanner, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. smith, each will control 20 minutes. the chair roadways -- recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. tanner: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. tanner: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. on august 5, 2010, the san jose copper coal mine in chile collapsed, leaving 33 miners trapped 3,300 feet under ground. as of today, they have been there for 55 days. the chilean president has made the rescue of these stranded
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miners a national priority. this resolution addresses that deplorable event and with that, madam speaker, i would ask that the rest of my statement be included in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. smith: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. i want to commend congressman mack for authoring this resolution. h.res. 1662 commends the bravery of the 33 trapped miners in chill whoa have endured nearly two months of unnadgeble mental and physical strain following the august 5 collapse of the mine which trapped them half a mile below ground. it was believed that these men did not survive the original collapse, but 17 days after the disaster the miners were miraculously discovered to be alive and in fair condition. quick thinking and decisive action leaded men to take refuge in a shelter where they have been surviving for the last seven weeks. the chilean government has been
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working tirelessly to secure the safety of the miners as quickly as possible and to secure their release. in addition to scientists and doctors from nasa, as well as private u.s. engineers and companies have been instrumental throughout the rescue process and continue to aid in the drilling efforts. various supply holds have reached the group to supply them with food, water, house supplies and games to keep the members safe sand stable. madam speaker, i do ask that my full statement be made the record and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection and the gentleman yields. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. tanner: i reserved. did you yield back? mr. smith: i yield back. mr. tanner: we have no further requests. we yield back as well. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1662. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is
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agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider slade on the table. -- reconsider is laid object the table -- on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. tanner: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules -- >> madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass house resolution 1660expressing support for the goals and ideas of the inaugural u.s.a. science and engineering festival in washington, d.c., and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1660, resolution expressing support for the goals and ideals of the inaugural u.s.a. science and engineering festival in washington, d.c., and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. gordon, and the gentleman from texas, mr. hall, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee.
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mr. gordon: i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on h.r. 1616, the resolution now under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. gordon: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. madam speaker, i rise in strong support of house resolution 1616, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of sbag rale u.s.a. science and engineering festival. i want to congratulate the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, for introducing this resolution. a number of much-publicized studies shows that the achievement of american students is poor by international standards in mathematics. this is a dark cloud over american competitiveness. without high achieving math and science of students today, we won't have the innovative scientists and technologyists we need tomorrow. congress passed the america
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competes act which helps stem at all levels. and we will produce the world's leading scientists and engineers so that all students, high school, junior high school students will have a strong background in math and science. the u.s.a. science and engineering festival, which is taking place in october on the national mall and in splite locations awoss -- satellite locations across the world, which has a number of companies, schools and other organizations, all with the goal to recruit the next generation of scientists and engineers by inspiring students and showing them how science intersects daily with their lives. the culmination of the festival will be a free two-day expo on the national mall and will feature over 1,500 interactive science activities. once again, i want to commend mr. bilbray and his co-sponsors for introducing this resolution and i urge my colleagues to
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join me in supporting the goals and ideas of integral u.s.a. science and engineering festival. and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. hall: madam speaker, i rise in support of h.res. 1660 and i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. hall: i, of course, rise supporting the goals and ideals of the u.s.a. science engineering festival taking place on the national mall and in satellite events around the country. this sbug rale national e-- inaugural national event is intended to celebrate science and raise awareness of the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the united states. stem education is a crucial component to our nation's growth and well-being, advances in science and engineering fields not only have made our lives significantly better but also have had a global impact
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as well. the u.s.a. science and engineering festival have over 1,500 free hands on activities and shows for all ages, featuring some of the most talented and experienced specialists in the science and engineering fields. this aims to reinvigorate our nation's youth in stem by preventing the most compelling, exciting educational and entertaining science gatherings in the united states. inspiring our children to become more interested in stem fields and in careers through endeavors such as this is the key to unlocking our future economic and innovative potential success. over 100 members of congress have joined the support of this festival in a bipartisan fashion. i'm pleased to support the u.s.a. science and engineering festival, and i encourage my colleagues to join me in this support. at this point i yield to mr. bilbray as much time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. bilbray: thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, i rise today to
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offer a resolution to support the inaugural u.s. science and energy festival to be held here in washington, d.c. and more importantly, to be held in 49 other locations across the country between october 10 and october 24. because i say more importantly is the fact that sometimes those of us in washington forget that we are the capital of a nation but we are not the nation. the foundation of this concept of our federal republic is to make sure that we represent those communities out in -- throughout this nation, not just here in d.c. this festival is actually going to be centered here in d.c. and in 49 other locations, and i think it will -- it's one of those bipartisan efforts that i'd like to thank my colleagues, those such as chairman gordon, pete olson of texas, cathy mcmorris rodgers and brian baird of washington, two colleagues from washington. this is a unique opportunity for thousands of americans to
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learn more about science and engineering from exhibits, participation, demonstrations, performances, discussions. for those of us in san diego who firsthand witnessed a wonderful event that we had in 2009, the inaugural event at san diego science and energy festival that attracted over half a million participants, we're really kind of excited for the rest of the nation to experience this. our nation finds itself in the midst of a terrible economic recession, a crisis that is one that's been growing for ren jations. not one -- generations, not one that just spun in the recent past. one of the key answers to pulling ourselves out of this economic trouble is to activate those entrepreneurial spirits and the scientific research that's always led america on the cutting edge of technology and of economic and social prosperity. our nation needs this kind of
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stimulus. frankly, i think the u.s. science festival -- united states science festival is a great opportunity and can help the private sector work with the public sector. in fact, i think the latest stat i saw is millions of dollars being put in this by the private sector because they see how important this investment of not just money but of minds and creativity is going to be for all of us. madam speaker, i think that we can recognize that though we have been successful in the past, only if we recognize that science, math, technology is going to be essential for a prosperous future, i think that we can look at each other and say maybe we need to spend more time focusing on those things that we have taken for much too long -- taken granted for much too long. i think culturally america is waking up to the fact that science is cool, that science
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is a unique thing to be involved with. when the chairman and i were growing up, the great heroes of law enforcement was, you know, joe friday and the cops carrying the badge who were still the hero. but now our young people are learning it's the scientists who can find that small little particle that leads to the answers and every day, every night we can always turn on the television now and we don't just see the strong cop on the beat. we see the scientists in the laboratory being our heroes. hopefully this will continue to grow the culture that being smart is cool, being a scientist is something to be aspire to be. maybe in other own little way and small way by supporting this festival we can cultivate those minds and that creativity out there and maybe we'll see the future alexander graham bells, the thomas edsons, the robert fultons and maybe other great americans who have been able to create the america we know today and the world we see around us that too often we
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take for granted that scenes and technology made it -- science and technology made it all possible. with this event maybe we'll remind all of us how lucky we are to be in america where freedom of mind goes along with freedom of spirit. thank you, madam speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. gordon: once again, i thank my friend from san diego for an excellent resolution and also for the good, constructive role he plays on our science and technology committee. i ask my friend, mr. hall, do you have any further speakers? mr. hall: madam speaker, i have no further requests for time. i yield back the balance of my time. mr. gordon: and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1660. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the
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gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. gordon: madam speaker, i urge the -- i move to suspend the rules and pass house resolution 1421, recognizing the 40th anniversary of the apollo 13 mission and the heroic actions of both the crew and those working at the mission and control in houston, texas, for bringing the three astronauts, fred haise, jim lovell and jack swigert home safely. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1421, resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the apollo 13 mission and the heroic actions of both the crew and those working at mission control in houston, texas, for bringing the three astronauts, fred haise, jim lovell, and jack swigert, home to earth safely. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. gordon, and the gentleman from texas, mr. hall, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. gordon: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
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include extraneous material on h.res. 1421, the resolution now under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. gordon: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. gordon: madam speaker, it is hard to imagine a more difficult problem than that of figuring out how to safely return to earth in a critically damaged spacecraft heading toward the moon. or one that is more urgent. yet, through the combined efforts of the three trained astronauts, the skilled nasa engineers, the contractor work force, apollo 13 and its crew were brought back to earth safely. as we consider the future of nasa and its human space flight programs, let this anniversary inspire us and ensure the important safety and capabilities of our human space flight work force as we send our astronauts into space.
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i'd like to thank the resolution's sponsor, mr. poe, for introducing this good resolution, and with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. hall: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. hall: i rise in support of h.res. 1421, recognizing the 40th anniversary of the safe return of the apollo 13 capsule. it launched from kennedy space center on april 11, 1970, for a planned lunar landing but suffered mechanical and systems failure while en route to the moon. in addition, i know through ineffectively and tireless efforts, the men and women of nasa's mission control system provided tests solutions to complex things that were unknown. using out-of-the-box creativity, nasa's engineers
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and program managers salvaged what was later deemed to be a successful failure bringing the crew safely back to earth on april 17. i'm proud to support this resolution and proud, of course, of american ingenuity and the valor of the people at nasa and encourage my students -- my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 40th anniversary of the apollo 13 mission. and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. gordon: i ask my friend from texas, do you have any more speakers? mr. hall: i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas yields. the gentleman from tennessee. mr. gordon: i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1421. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is
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laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. gordon: madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6160, rareerts and critical materials revitalization act of 2010. as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 6160, a bill to develop a rareerts minerals program to amend the national minerals research and development act of 1980 and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. gordon, and the gentleman from texas, mr. hall, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. gordon: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. and to include extraneous material on h.r. 6160, the bill now under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. gordon: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. gordon: i rise in strong support today of h.r. 6160, the
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rareerts and critical materials revitalization act of -- rare earths and critical materials revitalization act of 2010. this was sponsored by mrs. dahlkemper and others on trying to recapture our technological lead in a wide range of industries critical to our economic health, our national defense and a clean, secure energy future. for the last week you couldn't open a newspaper or watch tv without seeing a story warning us about the danger of our lives about a little known but critical class of raw materials called rare earths. rare earths are an essential component of technologies in the wide range -- with a wide array of emerging and established industries and for everything from oil refining to hybrid cars, wind, turbines to --
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windture fwines weapon systems, computer monitors to disk drives, it's only expected to grow. however, despite the u.s. at one time being a leader in this field, china now controls 97% of the global market. making matters more urgent, china has begun limiting production and export -- and export of rare earth. this is clearly an untenable situation for the u.s. this is not the first time the congress has been concerned with the competitive implications of materials such as rare earths. in 1980, 30 years ago, we established a national minerals and materials policy. one core element in that legislation was the call to support a vigorous, comprehensive and coordinated program for materials, research and development. unfortunately over successive administrations, the effort to sustain the program eroded. now it is time to revive a coordinated effort to level the global flaying -- playing field in rare earth. this bill calls for increasing
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research in development to help address the nation's rare earth shortage and reinvigorates the national policy for critical materials. furthermore the bill does not start a big new government program. all activities authorizing this act should take place within the existing programs at the department of energy, policy of science and technology policy. and other relevant agencies. and the bill does not authorize any new appropriations. i call upon my colleagues to support h.r. 1661 -- 6160 and look forward to its passage with that i reserve the balance of my time -- passage. with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from texas voiced. mr. hall: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. hall: the legislation before us today, h.r. 6160, the rare earths and critical materials revitalization act of 2010, deals with a very important matter of potential concern to national security and to the economy. rare earths are used in many different high-tech applications including certain military and
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weapons systems and china controls the bulk of world supply and recently announced its intention to reduce exports, triggering concerns that the u.s. could face a supply gap. this is clearly an important issue that warrants our attention. the obvious question we face now is how best to address this concern. h.r. 6160 intends to do so through establishment of a rare earths material research and development program and authorization of loan guarantees to support rare earth minerals, mining, processing and production activities. notwithstanding the clear and significant potential for a rare earth supply shortage, during the committee markup of this bill, republicans requested whether the activities called for in h.r. 6160 provide the appropriate policy response to this issue. i've summarized these concerns as they were noted in the additional g.o.p. views included in the report on the bill. to the extent that a rare earth
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supply gap may present national security concerns, such concerns should probably be addressed through the department of defense and the house and the senate armed service committee. with respect to commercial supply needs, taxpayer subsidies in the form of loan guarantees should be restricted to those areas not undertaken by the private sector. this principle is particularly important in the case of rare earths due to the aggressive private pursuit of rare earth mining opportunities in response to recent price increases. unfortunately, an amendment to address this concern was defeated in committee. i'm pleased, however, that several other republican amendments to improve h.r. 6160 were approved with bipartisan support, specifically amendments to, one, eliminate funding authorizations for r&d activities, two, elimination of a rare earth r&d information center, three, limit loan guarantees support for the exploration of unprocessed rare
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earth materials necessary to make domestic demand, and, four, reduce the length of authorization for rare earth loan guarantees from eight years to five years. further modified language addressing additional republican concerns relating to the international collaboration was worked out following the markup and i thank chairman gordon for working with their side of the aisle to improve this division. overall, despite the many remaining questions and concerns regarding rare earths in this legislation, i recognize the importance of ensuring a stable supply of rare earth materials and the potential for a near-term supply short and i remain committed to working on this issue and this bill as it moves through the legislative process. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from tennessee is recorded -- recognized. mr. gordon: i yield to the gentlelady from pennsylvania, the lead sponsor, mrs. dahlkemper. the speaker pro tempore: the
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gentlewoman from pennsylvania voiced. mrs. dahlkemper: madam speaker, i want to thank the leadership of the house and particularly chairman gordon and ranking member hall for allowing this bill to come forward. i think a very important piece of legislation for certainly the national defense and the economy of our country. i ask, what would happen to our national defense if we could no longer build a jet engine? vehicle batteries or advanced targeting systems? what what are the chances that are our country becomes energy independence if we cannot produce hybrid cars, wind turbines and other alternative energy products? what would happen to our economy if the technologies we depend on to make business work are no longer available? these are questions we would have to answer if china cut off our supply of rare earth materials. vital components to nearly every piece of advanced technology we use in our national defense and throughout business and industry. for the past decade, the united states has been almost entirely dependent on china for its
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supply of rare earth materialless. despite the fact that we have an abundant reserve of materials within our own borders. china currently accounts for as much as 90% of the world's available supply of rare earth materials. but they are reducing amount of these materials going into the global market. just this summer, china announced it would cut its rare earth ect ports for the second half of 2010 by 72%. the bottom line is this, china is cornering the market on rare earth materials and we, the united states, are falling behind. that is why we need to act now, to begin the process of creating our own domestic supply of rare earth materials to the -- so the united states is never dependent on china or any other country for crucial components for our national security. my bill, h.r. 6160, the rare earth and critical material revitalization act, is a bipartisan plan to jumpstart u.s. research and development in
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rare earth materials to improve our ability to find, extract, process and use rare earth to improve products. we want to immediately -- we want to ultimately create a robust domestic supply of rare earths. my legislation will foster a strong rare earths industry here in the united states. the scope of this bill spans the full supply chain from exploration to mining to manufacturing. it will reduce risk and refinancing rare earths production facilities by guaranteeing loans to companies with new processing and refining technologies. my bill will also help create a u.s. miller minerals and teerls policy so we are never without a plan of action if our supply of rare earths fall short. china has stated clearly that foreign firms that move their manufacturing capacity onto chinese soil will have no trouble procuring rare earth materials for their needs. that's just another way that american manufacturing jobs are being lured overseas.
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that has to stop. we need to make things right here in our country. and give those great manufacturing jobs to american men and women. madam speaker this bill cannot wait. just last week china reportedly cut off japan's supply of rare earths in the wake of a territory conflict. this is a clear warning sign and we would be foolish to ignore it. if china is willing to use the control of rare earths as leverage over other country, we need to counter that advantage by jumpstarting our domestic market of rare earths now. the g.a.o. reports that it may take up to 15 years to rebuild the united states' rare earths supply chain. delaying the money to delay this process only prolongs our dependency on china. i urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan plan, to promote u.s. global competitiveness and to ensure our national defense technologies are made in america. and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman from texas voiced. mr. hall: i yield three minutes to the gentleman from
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california, mr. bilbray. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. mr. bilbray: thank you very much, madam speaker. madam speaker, i appreciate this bill for two points. i appreciate the fact that the chairman of the science committee has been willing to bring forth this bill, at a critical time. i want to thank the gentlelady from pennsylvania for raising this issue. i think that from a science committee point of view, this is appropriate action to take. sadly, madam speaker, i think that we should have sitting in the podium next to our chairman the chairman of the resource committee. because i think awful us will agree that all of the funding, all of the studies, do not accomplish anything if we do not have access to the material to make it reality. and one of the critical things we need to do is bridge the gap between what we know we need to do and what we allow to be done. one of the sad things right now is the fact that we keep taking -- talking about breakthroughs. i think we have to recognize that awful us who are so excited about high-tech electrification
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of transportation systems, the efficiency and energy saved there, the reduction in the carbon footprint, if we want to drive our pres is -- priuses, then we have to be brave enough to support this bill and tell our colleagues that we need to open up the public lands to allow the mining to be done so we have access to create these miracles. i sadly think that too often we're willing to talk about spending money to do the kind of things that need to be done but we're not willing to say we need to reform our federal regulations and our processes to make those things possible. you hear all the time that we're talking about what america needs for energy independence is a new manhattan project. well, ladies and gentlemen, as somebody who has worked in environmental issues for over 35 years, the manhattan project would be legal to do today. federal regulation would not allow it. we need to make sure that as the committee that works on science, that we understand that we can only do so much.
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the jurisdiction of the resource committee needs to be partners in this effort. we need to tear down the barriers of government regulations that do not allow access to those important components that are public property and public resources. the american people own these resources. and they should be able to have access to them. and i'm very sensitive to the environmental impact of doing the exploitation of resources in an inappropriate way. but as a former member of the air resources board, i'm very aware of the great environmental threat if we do not utilize our own native resources to be able to address these issues. and so i want to thank the chairman. this is probably one of his last committee -- i mean, bills to be before this kevment great, great bill at a critical time -- this committee. great, great bill at a critical time. i hope that committees will be as strong and brave to bring these items forward. so the lady from pennsylvania's
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bill cannot only see the light of day here in this body but actually can see the implementation, one of the most important things that are facings as an economy and as a free people, and that is making sure that we have the access to those items that make these miracles possible. thank you very much. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. gordon: does my friend from texas have any additional speakers? mr. hall: i have no additional speakers and, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. gordon: i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 6160. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. -- as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to -- the yeas and nays are requested.
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all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 86 rule 20rks further proceedings on -- 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. for what purpose does --

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